Syria AI Foundation Launches to Build Applied AI Capability from Syria and the Levant

Damascus, July 12, 2026 — Syria AI Foundation, known as SAIF, formally launched during a public event held in Damascus on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The event brought together representatives of public and private institutions, companies, academic and technical communities, researchers, experts, and others interested in applied artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

The launch received strong interest from attendees, with many seeking further information about training opportunities, institutional collaboration, data development, and participation in the applied projects SAIF intends to advance during its next phase.

SAIF is an independent Syrian nonprofit registered in Damascus. It works to build applied AI capability from Syria and the Levant and to strengthen the presence of local language, knowledge, and data in artificial intelligence systems.

SAIF is founded on the principle that meaningful participation in the age of AI depends not only on access to ready-made tools, but also on whether a society's languages, knowledge, and data are represented in the systems being built today.

The Foundation therefore works at the root of this challenge by developing trusted data and knowledge resources that can contribute to more representative Arabic-first AI and to systems that are more useful to institutions and communities.

SAIF's work is organized around four connected areas:

• Applied Research & Trusted Data.
• Agentic Systems.
• Training & Capability-Building.
• Standards & Responsible Adoption.

Samer Hamwi, Director of Syria AI Foundation, said:

“Artificial intelligence is not built through computing capacity alone. It is built through the knowledge, data, and expertise that shape its systems. Our mission is to make the knowledge of Syria and the Levant part of how AI is built, while developing local capability that can translate this knowledge into practical and responsible applications for institutions and communities.”

He added: “The response we saw during the launch confirmed that there is a genuine need for an institution that brings together trusted data, applied research, training, and work on real institutional problems and projects. The next phase will be one of building and collaboration, and we welcome every institution, expert, and young professional who wants to contribute seriously to this work.”

Dr. Hassan Sawaf, Founding Scientific Director and Chair of SAIF's Advisory Council, said:

“More representative Arabic AI cannot be built without investing in local data and knowledge. Syria and the Levant hold significant linguistic, cultural, and intellectual diversity. Organizing and developing these resources responsibly will not benefit the region alone; it can also improve how AI systems understand and represent the Arabic-speaking world.”

SAIF was established through a group of Syrian leaders with experience across artificial intelligence, technology, education, institutional development, and community work.

Members of the founding leadership and executive team contribute to shaping the Foundation's direction and programs and to developing relationships with academic, public, and private institutions in Syria and internationally.

Cooperation with the Syrian Computer Society

SAIF recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Syrian Computer Society focused on data and digital knowledge.

The collaboration will explore ways to organize, preserve, and improve access to valuable Syrian knowledge accumulated by the Society over many years.

The cooperation includes work relating to digital knowledge resources and archives, including content associated with the eSyria project, also known as “Blog of the Nation,” which documents a wide range of cultural, social, historical, and economic life across Syrian communities.

SAIF and the Syrian Computer Society will study methods for cleaning, normalizing, organizing, cataloguing, and enriching the metadata of this content.

This work is intended to support its preservation, improve search and accessibility, and prepare it for responsible research, educational, and applied uses within the rights and frameworks agreed by both parties.

The collaboration reflects the type of practical work SAIF was established to advance: transforming Syrian archives and institutional knowledge into organized and trusted resources that can support research, education, digital services, and better representation of Syria and the Levant in AI systems.

A separate joint statement from SAIF and the Syrian Computer Society will follow, providing further information about the objectives, scope, and initial implementation steps of the agreement.

Applied Training and Capability-Building

During the launch, SAIF presented its approach to developing local capability through practical programs that connect learning with real projects and institutional needs.

The Foundation is preparing a Training of Trainers program in AI-assisted software development.

The program will begin with an initial cohort of specialists who can later help transfer knowledge and expand access to training across additional communities and locations.

SAIF also introduced Mateen, an applied learning and work program that connects participants with real projects proposed by companies and institutions.

Under the guidance of experienced specialists, participants will study these projects and work on solutions or prototypes addressing genuine operational needs.

Mateen is intended to help participants build practical experience while enabling institutions to explore AI-based solutions in a structured and responsible environment.

Local Data and Knowledge

SAIF places particular importance on Syrian data and the knowledge of the Levant, including Arabic, local dialects, specialized terminology, cultural and institutional archives, and textual and visual content that has not yet been organized for modern search, research, or responsible computational use.

The Foundation believes that gaps in the representation of this knowledge affect not only Syria and the Levant, but also the broader ability of Arabic AI systems to understand the linguistic, cultural, and intellectual diversity of the region.

SAIF therefore invites institutions holding valuable archives, datasets, records, or knowledge resources to explore collaboration in preservation, organization, cataloguing, documentation, and responsible data development.

Working with Public and Private Institutions

SAIF emphasized during the launch that building AI capability that creates public value requires close cooperation among public and private institutions, universities, researchers, technology companies, and subject-matter experts.

The Foundation will focus on projects capable of creating practical value, including improving access to information, organizing institutional knowledge, supporting decision-making, developing tools for productive and service sectors, and strengthening the ability of institutions to adopt AI responsibly.

SAIF also works with Bareeq Foundation in training and capability-building, drawing on Bareeq's experience in education and community work while preserving the organizational independence and distinct mission of each institution.

Invitation to Participate and Collaborate

SAIF invites researchers, experts, engineers, students, institutions, companies, archive and data holders, and organizations with applied projects to participate in the development of its programs and initiatives.

Areas for engagement include:

• Proposing projects or applied challenges for the Mateen program.
• Contributing to training and capability-building programs.
• Collaborating on the organization of data, archives, and knowledge resources.
• Participating in applied research or technical projects.
• Supporting initiatives that improve the representation of local language and knowledge.
• Proposing areas of cooperation that serve institutions and communities.

Hamwi said:

“We do not want to build an institution that operates in isolation from its environment. We want SAIF to be a place where local and international expertise can come together, where knowledge is connected to application, and where anyone with relevant expertise, data, or a valuable project can find a clear path to contribute.”

Intelligence is built, not imitated.