Saudi Arabia's Allam AI Model Joins IBM Watsonx As A Leading Arabic Language Generator

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) announced a significant development for the Arabic language at the IBM Think event in Boston. The Allam model, which generates Arabic text, has been included in the IBM watsonx platform, recognised as one of the world's leading models. This selection highlights the advanced technical capabilities of Allam.

During its experimental phase, Allam underwent rigorous testing against international standards for generative AI to ensure its readiness to compete with other models on watsonx. Currently available in a trial version, Allam’s inclusion allows for further professional evaluation. This testing will accelerate the release of the model's full capabilities and establish it as a competitive force in Arabic language generation.

The inclusion aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader mission to serve and empower the Arabic language on both regional and global scales. Efforts focus on preserving the integrity of the language while promoting its use by enriching Arabic content in various fields, including technical, cultural, literary, scientific, and other humanities-based domains.

This initiative aims to leverage AI technologies and digital applications to foster cultural diversity and benefit all humanity, regardless of language, nationality, or educational background. These efforts contribute to the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, driven by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SDAIA.

Allam is the first Saudi-developed AI system designed to answer user questions regarding different knowledge domains in Arabic. This model leverages advanced AI technology. Trained on a massive Arabic language dataset, one of the world's largest, and supplemented by English content, Allam ensures comprehensive responses.

Users can submit inquiries in text or audio format, and Allam will answer in the chosen format, drawing from the most trusted sources in the Kingdom and the Arab world. The Allam model is the product of the SDAIA-IBM partnership. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing Arabic language applications within generative AI.

Regional Vice President of IBM Saudi Arabia Ayman Al-Rashed commented on this cooperation: "This collaboration unlocks the potential of Arabic language models for both public and private sectors, aligning with the cultural needs of the region." He further highlighted that companies can leverage these models to develop innovative services.

This development strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a leader in AI technology tailored to regional market needs. Artificial intelligence experts, technicians, innovators, company presidents, and policymakers attended the IBM Think event.

The integration of Allam into IBM watsonx represents a significant step forward for Arabic language AI models. It underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a global leader in advanced technologies as part of its Vision 2030 goals.

With inputs from SPA