EmadBk/Towards-Building-Sovereign-Artificial-Intelligence-in-Egypt-Gap-Analysis

Towards Building Sovereign Artificial Intelligence in Egypt: Gap Analysis # Towards Building Sovereign Artificial Intelligence in Egypt - Gap Analysis By Emad Naguib May 2026 ## Abstract This study examines the challenge of building sovereign artificial intelligence in Egypt through a gap analysis approach, in light of the rapid transformations taking place in the field of artificial intelligence, particularly the rise of large language models and generative AI, and the resulting intensification of international competition over the development of national strategies that enhance technological capabilities and digital sovereignty. The study is grounded in the existence of a gap between Egypt’s strategic ambitions in artificial intelligence and the institutional, regulatory, data, computational, and human capacity requirements necessary to build a national AI ecosystem capable of developing and deploying AI effectively in support of development, public sector modernization, and technological autonomy. The study aims to analyze the key determinants of building sovereign artificial intelligence in Egypt and to identify the major gaps that constrain this trajectory, with the ultimate goal of proposing a strategic framework to reduce them. To achieve this, the study adopts a qualitative methodology that combines descriptive-analytical, comparative, and case study approaches, drawing on national strategy documents, international reports, academic literature, and technical materials related to AI governance and foundation models. The study finds that Egypt has made important progress at the strategic and institutional levels, particularly with the release of the second edition of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. However, the development of sovereign AI still faces substantial gaps in governance and regulation, data accessibility and stewardship, computational infrastructure, financing, skills, research and innovation capacity, and ecosystem development. The study also shows that sovereign AI in the Egyptian context should not …