AIGN MENA – Shaping Trustworthy AI Governance for the Middle East and North Africa
Sovereignty. Trust. Global Visibility.
The MENA region is not just embracing artificial intelligence — it’s positioning itself as a strategic global leader in shaping its future. From the UAE’s AI Strategy 2031 to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, countries across the Middle East and North Africa are investing heavily in AI innovation, digital sovereignty, and global influence. Yet international governance frameworks often fail to reflect the region’s growing role and ambitions.
AIGN MENA changes that.
It is our commitment to co-create a trusted, visible, and regionally grounded approach to AI governance — driven by leadership from within.
Our Vision: Trusted AI from MENA, for the World
At AIGN, we believe the MENA region is not a passive recipient of AI frameworks — it is a strategic co-architect of global AI governance. AIGN MENA will bring the region’s unique perspectives, geopolitical strength, and ethical considerations into the global conversation.
We are building a framework based on:
🌐 Sovereignty: Strengthening regional control over AI design, deployment, and data governance
🌐 Trust: Creating visibility and accountability through certification and readiness tools
🌐 Reputation: Positioning MENA actors as responsible, globally credible AI leaders
🌐 Collaboration: Connecting public, private, and academic sectors across the region and beyond
“MENA is not catching up — it’s redefining the rules.
AIGN MENA is here to make responsibility visible, strategic, and globally respected.”
– Dr. John V. Francis, AIGN MENA Lead
Why MENA, Why Now
Geopolitics & Investment
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia to invest $40 billion in AI by 2030 (Bloomberg, 2024)
- 🇦🇪 UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 aims to be a global hub for ethical AI
- 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇲🇦 Morocco are expanding AI education, regulation & infrastructure
Regional Strength
- 400+ AI startups and innovation labs across the region (MENA AI Index 2023)
- Rapid growth of sovereign data policies and national digital ID systems
- MENA governments increasingly demand trusted certification and public accountability
Trust & Governance Gap
- Despite the growth, few regionally adapted AI governance frameworks exist
- Global labels, audits, and benchmarks often overlook cultural, legal, and political context
What We Offer Through AIGN MENA
🌐 Strategic Trust Frameworks
– Launching the AI Readiness Check, Global Trust Label, and Education Trust Label
– Regionally adapted metrics aligned with MENA’s priorities
🌐 Knowledge & Policy Exchange
– Partnering with think tanks, ministries, universities, and innovation authorities
– Supporting workshops, whitepapers, and regional AI policy dialogues
🌐 Leadership & Visibility
– Showcasing MENA voices in global AI governance debates
– Building narratives around ethical innovation, digital dignity, and trust
🌐 Capacity Building
– Supporting regulators, civil servants, and educators in AI ethics and governance
– Co-developing curricula with leading academic institutions
Leadership: Dr. John V. Francis – AIGN MENA Lead
Dr. John V. Francis is a strategic thinker, governance expert, and experienced regional leader with a long-standing commitment to ethical technology and international cooperation.
With deep roots in diplomacy, education, and policy reform, he brings a rare combination of geopolitical insight, public sector experience, and people-centered leadership to AIGN MENA.
As Regional Lead, John will focus on:
🌐 High-level partnerships across government and innovation sectors
🌐 Regional storytelling and thought leadership
🌐 Operational rollout of AIGN’s trust tools and programs
🌐 Building a coalition of actors from Riyadh to Rabat
How to Get Involved
AIGN MENA invites:
🌐 Ministries, regulatory bodies, and national AI agencies
🌐 Universities, ethics labs, and research institutions
🌐 Tech startups, accelerators, and sovereign wealth initiatives
🌐 Civil society organizations and media partners
AIGN MENA – From Sovereignty to Trust
The future of AI governance will not be written in one language, or one capital.
With AIGN MENA, we are building a regional architecture of trust, sovereignty, and innovation — grounded in values, driven by strategy, and visible to the world.
🧭 This is not alignment. This is leadership.
Let’s build trusted AI — from MENA, for the global stage.