Shehadeh from Geneva: Lebanon will not be a bystander to the AI revolution... and a national plan for digital transformation

Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh concluded his official visit to Geneva, where he headed the Lebanese delegation participating in the opening of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the World Summit on the Information Society Forum (WSIS Forum 2026), representing President General Joseph Aoun.

In his address, Shehadeh presented Lebanon’s vision for keeping pace with global technological transformations, stressing that artificial intelligence represents a strategic opportunity to rebuild institutions, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen sustainable development. He emphasized that Lebanon has chosen to be a partner in shaping the future, not merely a recipient of it.

He noted that artificial intelligence will redraw the contours of economies, public services, and scientific research, warning that the absence of clear policies and regulatory frameworks would deepen the gaps between countries. “Lebanon will not stand on the sidelines of this transformation,” he said, “but is working to build its capacities, develop its legislation, and promote innovation in line with global changes.”

He affirmed that good governance is not an obstacle to progress, but rather the fundamental guarantee for the safe and trustworthy use of technology, noting that Lebanon’s approach is people-first, so that AI applications directly improve citizens’ lives and raise the efficiency of public services.

Shehadeh revealed a set of priorities the ministry is working on, foremost among them the launch of the national “Numu” program to equip young people, students, and the public sector with digital and AI skills, alongside accelerating digital transformation in state administrations, modernizing the legislative infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, and supporting startups, universities, and entrepreneurs, in addition to expanding cooperation with Lebanese talent spread around the world.

On the issue of digital sovereignty, the minister stressed that possessing technological decision-making does not mean isolation, but rather the ability to manage national data, protect vital infrastructure, and adopt balanced international partnerships that preserve Lebanon’s interests and national choices.

He also called for expanding international cooperation in cybersecurity, establishing global standards for AI governance, and exchanging expertise with leading laboratories and specialized institutions, stressing that the future of artificial intelligence cannot be shaped by one country in isolation from the international community.

On the sidelines of the forum, Shehadeh held a series of bilateral meetings and ministerial talks with international officials and leaders of technology companies, focusing on ways to strengthen cooperation on digital transformation projects and attract partnerships and investments that support Lebanon’s path of technological development, thereby enhancing its presence on the regional and international digital scene.