Program
Mateen Program
SAIF’s project-based applied AI research and talent program, designed around real problems, technical coaching, and structured project delivery.
In development
Building the people, research, and systems behind Syria’s AI future.
SAIF is an independent Syrian nonprofit developing talent, research, trusted data, and practical AI capability from Syria.
We connect Syria’s talent and knowledge with the research, infrastructure, and institutions needed to turn AI potential into credible work.
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See how these pillars connect →-
Pillar 1: Applied Research & Trusted Data
Define tractable research questions, support disciplined experimentation, and develop trusted data and evaluation resources relevant to Syria and Arabic AI.
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Pillar 2: Agentic Systems
Turn research and modern AI capabilities into practical systems and prototypes for institutional and public-interest use.
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Pillar 3: Training & Capability-Building
Develop researchers, engineers, trainers, and technical leaders through structured learning, mentorship, and project work.
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Pillar 4: Standards & Responsible Adoption
Promote responsible evaluation, governance, data practices, and institutional adoption aligned with recognized standards.
Programs
Initiatives & collaborations →Program
Trainer Development Program
Building a distributed network of qualified trainers across Syria and the Levant, in AI, digital skills, data, and related mission-relevant subjects.
In development — accepting expressions of interest
Current opportunities
Why this matters
AI capability will increasingly shape scientific, economic, and institutional capacity. Syria has talented people, valuable knowledge, real problems worth solving, and expertise at home and across its global network.
What is still missing are stronger pathways connecting that talent with research questions, technical resources, mentorship, institutions, and opportunities to produce credible work. SAIF exists to help build those pathways.
Research & trusted knowledge
Research is central to how capability is built.
SAIF connects meaningful research questions with talent and expertise, works to coordinate the technical resources they require, and supports disciplined experimentation, evaluation, and credible paths to publication and application.
Possible outputs: research papers · technical notes · datasets and evaluation resources · repositories · prototypes
Mission
SAIF develops and connects talent, research, trusted data, infrastructure, and real-world challenges so people and institutions in Syria can build, evaluate, and apply AI at an internationally credible level.
Vision
A Syria recognized as a leading contributor to AI research and development, known for the talent, research, and technologies it produces.
How we build capability
Research
Turn meaningful questions into disciplined research, evaluation, and credible public or applied outputs.
People
Develop researchers, engineers, trainers, and technical leaders through mentorship and project work.
Infrastructure
Work to connect projects with the data, tools, compute, and technical resources required to execute them.
Application
Connect research and capability with real institutional and societal problems where useful AI can be tested and applied.
How we work
Rigor before hype
We test, measure, document, and review our work before making claims.
Build capability that lasts
Every project should leave behind stronger people, knowledge, systems, or institutions.
Real problems, useful outcomes
We connect research and learning to genuine technical, institutional, and societal needs.
Trust, responsibility, and credit
We protect data, respect sources, recognize contributors, and use AI responsibly.
Collaboration that builds local capability
We connect talent in Syria with expertise, institutions, and opportunities across the Levant and the wider world in ways that strengthen lasting local capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SAIF a commercial startup?
No. SAIF is an independent Syrian nonprofit focused on developing research, talent, trusted data, infrastructure, and practical AI capability from Syria.
What is SAIF trying to achieve?
SAIF works to build durable pathways connecting people and institutions in Syria with research questions, expertise, technical resources, and opportunities to produce credible work.
Who can participate?
Researchers, engineers, trainers, technical experts, volunteers, institutions, and companies can use the current research, contribution, and collaboration pathways. Specific opportunities depend on the needs and readiness of each initiative.
How does SAIF choose research and projects?
SAIF looks for meaningful questions aligned with its mission, then considers feasibility, available expertise and resources, responsible evaluation, and the potential to build lasting local capability.
Can organizations work with SAIF?
Yes. Institutions and companies can propose relevant problems or explore research, training, trusted data, infrastructure, and implementation collaboration. Any work depends on shared readiness and a clearly defined scope.
How does SAIF handle data and sensitive information?
SAIF aims to protect data, respect sources, recognize contributors, and apply appropriate governance and responsible data practices to each project. It does not imply access to data that has not been provided or authorized.
Stay Connected
Follow SAIF’s public channels, read current updates, or contact us about research, contribution, and institutional collaboration.