Riyadh, November 5, 2024 — The Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) is preparing for the final stage of the highly anticipated ALLaM Challenge, a global competition aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI) models for the Arabic language. The event, set to begin on Thursday, November 7, will feature 600 participants from 17 countries, representing 200 teams, all competing for top honors in this groundbreaking initiative. The three-day competition will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Riyadh’s Digital City, an iconic hub of innovation and technology in Saudi Arabia.
The ALLaM Challenge, which stands for "Artificial Language Learning Models for Arabic," is designed to develop cutting-edge AI models capable of performing complex linguistic tasks in Arabic, such as writing and interpreting Arabic poetry, accurately parsing intricate sentence structures, and providing engaging educational tools for teaching the Arabic language to children. This ambitious competition is a key element of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to harness the power of AI in service of its cultural heritage, while also addressing the digital needs of Arabic speakers worldwide.
By focusing on the Arabic language, the challenge aims to bridge the gap in AI’s ability to process and understand non-Western languages. Historically, most AI models have struggled with languages like Arabic due to their unique grammar, syntax, and script. With the ALLaM Challenge, SDAIA seeks to push the boundaries of AI, creating systems that are linguistically and culturally sensitive, while also capable of handling complex tasks that are vital to preserving and promoting Arabic in the digital era.
This year’s competition is organized in collaboration with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, further enhancing its strategic impact. With the participation of global technology leaders like IBM and the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), the event promises to bring together some of the brightest minds in AI, linguistics, and data science. Over 50 mentors and more than 40 adjudicators — including experts in artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, and Arabic language studies — will support the teams throughout the competition, offering guidance, evaluating projects, and ensuring that the solutions developed are not only innovative but also sustainable and applicable in real-world contexts.
A cornerstone of the ALLaM Challenge is the use of IBM’s Watsonx platform, an advanced generative AI model specifically designed to handle Arabic language processing. Watsonx’s cutting-edge capabilities in natural language processing (NLP) allow it to analyze and generate Arabic text with a level of sophistication previously unmatched in the field. This collaboration underscores the global nature of the challenge, as well as the importance of developing high-quality, scalable AI tools that can be used by Arabic speakers around the world.
The competition is not just about pushing the boundaries of AI, but also about addressing a broader societal need. By fostering the development of AI models that can teach, understand, and generate Arabic, SDAIA is supporting Saudi Arabia’s goal of promoting the Arabic language in the digital and technological spheres. This aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify its economy, encourage innovation, and elevate its role as a global leader in technology.
The ALLaM Challenge’s impact extends beyond the event itself. As the competition progresses, the AI models developed by participants will have far-reaching applications in areas like education, literature, and communication. The potential of these AI models to teach Arabic in innovative ways, as well as to preserve and advance the rich cultural heritage of the language, will create lasting benefits for Arabic-speaking communities worldwide.
The final stage of the ALLaM Challenge promises to be a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to develop its national capabilities in AI and data science. The event will not only showcase the technical prowess of the teams but also highlight the transformative potential of AI to advance cultural and linguistic diversity in the digital age. As teams from across the globe prepare to present their projects, the world will be watching closely, eager to see how these AI-driven innovations can reshape the future of Arabic language technology.