In a move to bridge a persistent technological gap and integrate into the global digital economy, Syria has officially licensed its first non-profit organization dedicated to artificial intelligence and tech entrepreneurship. The Syrian Association for Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship has emerged as a pivotal initiative aiming to transform the local understanding of AI from a theoretical concept into a practical, accessible skill for students, professionals, and aspiring founders.
Established just six months ago, the association is already making its presence felt in the Syrian tech landscape. It responds to a critical need within the community: a structured framework to translate the growing interest in AI into tangible skills applicable in the job market and academia. Ahmed Al-Munjed, Chairman of the association’s board, explained that the initiative was founded to address the disconnect between theoretical knowledge and the practical application of AI tools.
From Theory to Practice
The association’s core philosophy positions AI not as an elite specialization for engineers, but as a fundamental skill essential for the modern workforce. This approach reflects a deep understanding of global labor market shifts, where AI tools are becoming indispensable across various professions.
“The issue was not a lack of desire or awareness, but the absence of a framework to translate knowledge into practice,” said Al-Munjed.
To achieve this, the association focuses on hands-on training through workshops and practical courses based on real-world scenarios. The goal is to empower trainees to use AI tools to support their studies, develop freelance careers, enhance professional performance, and launch entrepreneurial ventures in a resource-constrained environment.
Adapting Global Knowledge for Local Realities
While leveraging modern global curricula in AI and entrepreneurship, the association undertakes a comprehensive redesign process to ensure relevance and accessibility within the Syrian context. This adaptation includes simplifying complex content, delivering it in Arabic, and accommodating the limitations of local technical infrastructure.
A key focus is on promoting free or low-cost AI tools, ensuring that the training is practical and not merely a theoretical exercise. According to Al-Munjed, this approach is not about diminishing the knowledge but making it more applicable and connected to the daily realities of the trainees.
Building on Syrian Human Capital
The association’s leadership acknowledges the time lag separating Syria from other Arab nations that are more advanced in the AI field. However, they view this gap not as a definitive setback but as an opportunity to build on the country’s unique strengths, primarily its human capital.
Al-Munjed highlighted that Syrian youth are characterized by resilience, rapid learning capabilities, and an ability to adapt to challenging circumstances. The association aims to channel these attributes into a competitive advantage by providing structured, institutional support and clear guidance.
Fostering an AI-Powered Startup Ecosystem
A significant part of the association’s mandate is to support tech entrepreneurs. It provides training, mentorship, and consulting to help founders build their ventures on solid foundations and avoid common early-stage pitfalls.
Looking ahead, the organization plans to expand its role to include more structured initiatives for startups,
contributing to the development of an integrated tech entrepreneurship ecosystem. Al-Munjed emphasized that the nascent Syrian AI market presents vast opportunities for innovative youth-led projects in areas like automation, specialized digital education, and tech entrepreneurship platforms.
A Five-Year Vision for National Impact
The Syrian Association for Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship has set an ambitious five-year goal: to become the premier national reference in the field of AI and its applications, and to serve as a national incubator for tech-driven ideas and initiatives. The impact will be measured by community engagement, the number of projects launched with the association’s support, and regular feedback assessments.
While still in its early stages, the association represents a serious institutional effort to cultivate a practical tech culture and reconnect Syria with the global path of digital transformation, focusing on empowering people as the core driver of progress.
About The Syrian Association for Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship
The Syrian Association for Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship is the first legally licensed non-profit entity in Syria dedicated to promoting the practical application of AI and fostering a tech entrepreneurship ecosystem. Through tailored training programs, mentorship, and community-building, it aims to equip Syrian youth and professionals with essential digital skills, turning theoretical knowledge into practical capabilities to drive innovation and economic opportunity.
Source: aitnews.com
