Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is in advanced discussions with Microsoft to integrate its national Arabic large language model, Karnak, with the tech giant’s Azure cloud infrastructure. The move signals a potential major step in making Egypt’s sovereign AI model accessible on a global scale, positioning it for wider commercial and cross-border use.
Quick Facts
- Talks focus on integrating Arabic LLM Karnak with Azure.
- Part of a wider Egypt-Microsoft AI cooperation agreement.
- Aims to support Egypt’s National AI Strategy 2025–2030.
Powering Sovereign AI on Global Cloud
The recent talks, led by Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Transformation Raafat Hindi, explored the next phase of AI collaboration between Egypt and Microsoft. The central point of discussion was the technical and strategic feasibility of hosting Karnak, Egypt’s state-developed Arabic foundation model, on Azure. If an agreement is reached, it would provide a global cloud delivery layer for the model, a significant development for a nationally-backed AI project.
The meeting also reviewed an existing MoU aimed at training 100,000 young professionals and government staff in AI technologies, signaling a deepening partnership focused on building a robust local talent pool.
Expanding AI Across Public Services
Discussions extended beyond infrastructure to practical applications. The two parties covered plans to deploy AI-powered solutions developed by Egypt’s Applied Innovation Centre across various public services, aiming to improve government efficiency and citizen interactions.
In a separate but related engagement, Egypt’s Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Sherif Farouk, also met with Microsoft to discuss using AI and big data analytics. The goal is to modernize the ministry’s extensive subsidized services infrastructure, improving database accuracy and the management of Egypt’s food commodity and subsidy systems.
Anchoring Egypt’s National AI Strategy
These initiatives are key components of Egypt’s National AI Strategy 2025–2030. The strategy has ambitious targets, including training 30,000 AI specialists, establishing 250 AI-driven companies, and increasing the ICT sector’s contribution to GDP to 7.7% by 2030.
Karnak is a cornerstone of this strategy, currently ranked as the highest-performing Arabic LLM in the 30–40 billion parameter category. Its potential integration with Azure could accelerate its development and adoption, providing a powerful tool for both the public and private sectors in the region.
About Karnak
Karnak is Egypt’s nationally developed Arabic foundation model, created as part of the country’s National AI Strategy. It is recognized as a top-performing large language model specifically designed for the Arabic language within the 30-40 billion parameter category.
Source: MEA Tech Watch
