{
  "id": 8984035,
  "title": "AI will play major role in Lebanon, country's Finance Minister says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/ai-will-play-major-role-in-lebanon-countrys-finance-minister-says",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-21T18:58:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2026/09/21/lebanon-finance-minister-ai/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a significant role in Lebanon's future, according to Finance Minister Yassine Jaber. Speaking at a discussion in Washington, Jaber emphasized that Lebanon, like other Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is investing heavily in AI to drive innovation.\n\nJaber also highlighted that AI is set to impact not only Lebanon but the world at large. The Minister of State for Technology and AI, Kamal Shehadi, who was appointed in 2025, announced that 2,500 Lebanese residents participated in an AI training program organized by Zaka, a Middle East-based online education platform. Shehadi stated that Lebanon aims to become the nation that masters AI faster than any other country and integrate it into various sectors, including higher education, healthcare, creative industries, manufacturing, and business services.\n\nDuring the discussion, Jaber revealed that the Ministry of Finance has developed an AI spokeswoman, Sawt Al Malia, or \"Voice of the Ministry of Finance,\" to communicate economic developments. This AI character is designed to make the ministry's statements more engaging and accessible. Jaber expressed confidence in AI and its potential to transform the country's operations.",
  "summary": "Artificial intelligence will play a major role in Lebanon's future as it seeks a path to economic stability, Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber said on Monday. Mr Jaber was responding to a question from The National during a discussion at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia have invested heavily in AI, as…",
  "key_points": [
    "Finance Minister Yassine Jaber says AI will play major role in Lebanon's future.",
    "2,500 Lebanese participated in AI training program by Zaka platform.",
    "Ministry of Finance created AI spokeswoman Sawt Al Malia for engaging communication."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "AI will play major role in Lebanon, country's Finance Minister says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/ai-will-play-major-role-in-lebanon-countrys-finance-minister-says-8986737",
        "published": "2026-09-21T18:58:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}