Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, delivered a powerful keynote address at Web Summit Qatar 2026, calling for the development of a future where artificial intelligence and advanced technologies serve humanity, rather than redefine it at a cost. Speaking on the summit’s second day, she emphasized the urgent need for the Arab world to reclaim its role in shaping the next chapter of global innovation.
Reclaiming the Arab Contribution to Technology
Sheikha Moza reminded the audience of the Arab world’s foundational role in sciences that underpin today’s digital revolution. She highlighted the contributions of early scholars like Al-Khwarizmi, whose work gave rise to the concept of algorithms, and Al-Kindi, whose advancements in cryptography influenced modern encryption.
She stressed that this history is not a matter of nostalgia, but a crucial acknowledgment that technological progress has never belonged to a single civilization. This perspective challenges the common narrative that attributes modern innovation solely to Europe’s industrial revolution or Silicon Valley, overlooking the global and multicultural roots of scientific advancement.
The Fight for Arabic in a Digital World
In a symbolic move, Sheikha Moza switched from English to Arabic during her address to underscore the importance of linguistic diversity in building inclusive technologies. She argued that Arabic is not merely a tool for communication but a cultural and ethical reference point that carries core concepts of justice, empowerment, and human values.
“The defeat of Arabic,” she warned, “would not be a linguistic loss alone, but a loss of identity, culture, and civilizational memory.”
Sheikha Moza cautioned against the trend of treating technology as an ultimate destination rather than a purposeful tool. She urged the global tech community to use platforms like Web Summit for critical enthusiasm, where innovation is pursued with ethical awareness instead of blind acceleration.
A Call for Ethical and Human-Centered Innovation
The speech emphasized the need to protect the uniqueness of the Arabic language while defending multilingualism across the digital sphere. Technology, she argued, is not the product of one culture, and its future should not be shaped by a single language or worldview.
Sheikha Moza called for investment in a research-driven web built on global partnerships, aimed not only at “humanizing” technology but at preserving the humanity of its users. Given the deep integration of technology into daily life, she stated that societies must actively shape digital systems to reflect human values.
Addressing the rise of artificial general intelligence (AGI), she described it as potentially the first technological rebellion against humanity, urging policymakers and technologists to approach this frontier with caution and ethical clarity.
Qatar’s Vision for a Knowledge-Based Economy
Her Highness also highlighted Qatar’s strategic economic transformation from a dependency on oil and gas to a knowledge- and technology-driven economy. She pointed to the nation’s significant investments in education, research, and innovation as the foundational pillars supporting this critical shift.
About Qatar Foundation
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a private, non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to nurture future leaders and cultivate a vibrant, innovation-focused society by providing world-class education, promoting research and development, and fostering community engagement.
Source: Arab Founders
