Lebanon ranks among top five Arab countries in AI usage

According to data published by Microsoft in collaboration with the Institute for the Economics of Artificial Intelligence, Lebanon ranks among the top five Arab countries in AI usage, placing it ahead of several wealthier states with far stronger digital infrastructure. The indicator reflects individual-level AI adoption, measuring how people use AI tools in their daily work, learning, and professional development, not government strategy or corporate investment. 

A tech shift

Lebanese citizens are independently embracing AI to stay competitive. From journalists and designers to developers, marketers, students, and freelancers, AI tools are increasingly used to:

- Improve productivity and efficiency

- Learn new skills and software

- Offset job insecurity and income instability

- Access global work opportunities

Lebanon’s strong showing reflects a broader pattern: innovation driven by necessity. Lebanese professionals have turned to AI platforms to reinvent their roles, diversify income streams, and adapt to rapidly changing labor demands. This adaptability, long a feature of Lebanon’s creative and freelance economy, has accelerated in recent years as AI tools became more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly.

A shift at the state level

In an interview with the Ministry of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, headed by Kamal Shehadi, the source told The Beiruter that Lebanon has been laying the groundwork for a national approach to digital transformation. They explain, “In 2025, the ministry launched a National Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030), outlining policy roadmaps that frame AI as a pillar of administrative reform and economic recovery.” The strategy places emphasis on data sovereignty, inclusive digital services, and responsible innovation, signaling a shift toward structured governance in a sector that has long evolved informally.

As part of this push, the ministry signed memoranda of understanding with international consultancies, universities, and global technology firms, including Oracle, alongside local academic institutions. The ministry outlined, “initiatives such as “Code for Lebanon” and a national plan to train 50,000 citizens in AI and cloud computing were launched, with the aim of strengthening human capital and preparing the workforce for a digital economy.”

These partnerships seek to formalize skills that many Lebanese have already begun acquiring independently, often through self-learning and freelance work.

Finally, the ministry’s efforts to revive Lebanon’s innovation ecosystem have also taken shape through platforms like the Lebanon Tech, AI & Innovation Summit 2025, which brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and technologists under a unified national vision. While challenges remain, particularly in implementation, funding, and continuity, the summit marked an attempt to reposition Lebanon as a regional innovation hub, leveraging its talent pool rather than large-scale infrastructure.

Lebanon’s ranking among the top Arab countries in AI usage reveals a rare convergence: individual adoption racing ahead, and institutions beginning to respond. Lebanese society is learning, adapting, and building, using AI as a tool for innovation and adaptation.