Rania Al-Mashat: Artificial intelligence is no longer a luxury, but has become a pivotal tool for improving public services
Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, stressed the government’s increasing interest in promoting applications of artificial intelligence in various sectors due to its direct impact on the quality of life of citizens and the efficiency of public services.
The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation stressed – during her participation today, Monday, in the activities of the second day of the Cairo ICT 2025 exhibition and conference, during a session entitled “Investing in human capital in a world led by technology and artificial intelligence” – that artificial intelligence is no longer It has become a pivotal tool for improving services, maximizing the use of resources, and supporting decision-making.
She explained that the Cairo ICT 2025 Exhibition and Conference is important in light of the rapid developments the world is witnessing today led by artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, and big data technologies, which forces countries to reformulate their development priorities, foremost of which is investing in human capital.
She pointed out that artificial intelligence has become one of the most prominent drivers of change in the global economy, but the human element remains the factor. What is decisive in directing this change towards achieving comprehensive development, increasing productivity, and enhancing competitiveness is that the relationship between artificial intelligence and human development is complementary and intertwined. Artificial intelligence has contributed to expanding human capabilities and enhancing their potential, while its success remains dependent on human skills, creativity, and ability to develop these technologies and apply them effectively.
The Minister confirmed that the Egyptian state has made investing in people a major focus in its national strategy for digital transformation and building a knowledge economy, and pointed to the increase in the percentage of public investments directed to human development sectors from 17% in 2014/2015 to 28% in 2025. /2026, which clearly reflects the state’s keenness to put the citizen at the top of its priorities.
She stressed the government’s increasing interest in promoting applications of artificial intelligence in various sectors due to its direct impact on the quality of life of citizens and the efficiency of public services, stressing that artificial intelligence is no longer a luxury, but rather has become a pivotal tool for improving services, maximizing the use of resources, and supporting decision-making.
She explained that Egypt has redefined the economic growth model in line with economic, technological and geopolitical variables, as the Ministry of Planning has prepared Economic development and international cooperation “National narrative for economic development” As a comprehensive framework that achieves integration between the government’s work program and Egypt’s Vision 2030.
She stressed that the national narrative gives priority to the sectors that are most productive and most able to access export markets, most notably information technology, manufacturing industries, tourism, agriculture, and energy. Egypt also adopted a national strategy for artificial intelligence, of which the President of the Republic stressed – in his opening speech for the second edition – the necessity of completing the transformation towards a digital society that adopts the latest Technologies.
The Minister spoke about the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, explaining that she had identified 12 priority sectors to support innovation and open new markets, including: health technologies, digital education, renewable energy, smart mobility, tourism technology, and other promising sectors.
She indicated that through extensive consultations with more than 250 entrepreneurs, investors and experts, the group prepared a “Charter for Startups in Egypt” Which includes more than 80 supportive measures that will be announced soon and include: simplifying procedures, facilitating access to financing, supporting international expansion, and enabling emerging companies to participate in government projects.
She explained that the global debate surrounding the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market requires a more comprehensive approach, and that the issue is not related to replacing technology with the human element, but rather providing new work paths based on the skills of operating, employing and adapting artificial intelligence technologies.
She stressed that the next stage will witness The emergence of specific jobs that enhance the capabilities of human cadres and raise productivity levels, reflecting the integration between humans and technology, and that Egypt, with its population base exceeding 110 million people, is considered one of the countries rich in big data, which provides wide opportunities to maximize its use in various sectors.
She pointed out that the development projects being implemented in the fields of health, education, training, and laboratory tests generate a huge volume of data that can be classified and analyzed, enabling the state to use this information effectively to improve the quality of public services and enhance Efficiency of performance through artificial intelligence solutions.
The Minister said that the recent Health, Population and Human Development Conference included a number of specialized sessions that discussed the role of artificial intelligence in the health sector and improving citizen services, and that these applications contribute directly to supporting the path of growth and development and creating new employment opportunities based on knowledge and technology.
She added that artificial intelligence is no longer just an emerging technology, but has become an essential driver of development in the twenty-first century. She called for strengthening the partnership between the government, the private sector, and society to invest in this technology in a way that achieves sustainable development and ensures a better future for future generations.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat concluded her speech by emphasizing that humans will remain the focus of development in a world where applications of artificial intelligence are accelerating, and that investing in human capital is the investment with the highest return and longest impact. She also indicated that Egypt has the capabilities that qualify it to be a leading regional center in the fields of technology and artificial intelligence, with clear support from the political leadership.
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