under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, The University of Sharjah will host the Second Sharjah International Conference on the Arabic Language on Wednesday, February 4 under the theme “Artificial Intelligence in the Service of the Arabic Language: Innovation, Education, and Research.” The event, will bring together researchers and specialists from more than 28 countries to explore how smart technologies can advance Arabic language learning, research, and verbal creativity.

The conference underscores the University of Sharjah’s mission to support the Arabic language and strengthen its presence in higher education and scientific research. It also seeks to shed light on the latest breakthroughs and technological developments, particularly in the field of AI, and to examine how new smart tools can enrich Arabic language education, expand research horizons, and inspire new forms of verbal and literary creativity. Nearly one hundred researchers from more than twenty-eight countries submitted papers for the conference. After rigorous peer review, sixty studies were selected for presentation across a series of main and parallel sessions, along with specialized workshops.

The main focus of the conference is the evolving relationship between AI and the Arabic language. Conference sessions will explore such significant issues such as the teaching and learning of Arabic in schools and universities, the use of smart technologies in Arabic-language research, and the ethical considerations concerning the use of these innovations. Other sessions will explore creative writing and the application of AI tools to analyze both classical and colloquial Arabic texts.

Dr. Maryam Balajid, chair of the conference’s scientific, advisory, and organizing committees, noted that the event targets faculty, researchers, and university students across disciplines, as well as professionals in educational and research institutions and decision-makers in ministries of education and higher education across the UAE, the Arab world, and beyond. She emphasized that the conference offers a global platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Dr. Balajid added that this year’s edition introduces the Sharjah International Award for the Best Artificial Intelligence Application in the Service of the Arabic Language. The new award aims to stimulate innovative projects and applied solutions in natural language processing, smart education, translation, text analysis, and Arabic content creation. Winners will be announced and honored at the conference’s opening ceremony.

Dr. Badeeah Al-Hashemi, chair of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature at the University of Sharjah, highlighted that the conference continues to gain prominence as a leading international event with academic, cultural, and development dimensions. Its recommendations and outcomes, she said, will support policymakers, enrich research, and ensure Arabic’s vitality in the digital era, thus reflecting Sharjah’s pioneering cultural role in sustaining the Arabic language and advancing the humanities.

The conference seeks to spotlight outstanding initiatives and innovative practices that employ artificial intelligence to serve the Arabic language. It also aims to encourage research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in this field, fostering the long-term sustainability of Arabic amid rapid digital transformations and driving improvements in curricula and teaching methods for both native speakers and learners of Arabic as a foreign language.