IGNITE TechTalk in Lebanon: Here’s what you missed

The IGNITE TechTalk conference, powered by the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation and SPARK, held at Lebanon’s prestigious American University of Beirut (AUB) focused on the future of jobs for Lebanon’s youth. Over 150 experts and stakeholders, including policymakers, business leaders, NGOs, education specialists and tech startups discussed the challenges and opportunities of digital upskilling and tech employment in Lebanon and the Middle East.
The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation and SPARK were proud to host IGNITE TechTalk in Lebanon on 19th June, which delved into digital upskilling and youth employment in the tech sector. The one-day conference featured notable keynote addresses from Mr. Fadlo Khuri, President of the American University of Beirut and Mrs. Danah Dajani, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation. The central focus was a panel discussion titled ‘Empowering the Arab Youth: Upskilling and Jobs in the Digital Age’, accompanied by three breakout sessions covering diverse topics: ‘AI and Generative Models: Disruptions and Opportunities for Job Creation’, ‘The Digital Work Trend’, and ‘Digitalisation and Scaling SMEs’. The event was further enriched by networking activities on the sunny rooftop at AUB, culminating in a closing speech by Mr. Michel Richter, Director of Programmes at SPARK.
Mr. Fadlo Khuri, President of the American University of Beirut, his enthusiasm for the topic of the event in his opening remarks. “These are but a few ways that AUB’s core activities resonate with what SPARK is doing in the Arab region and Africa. I am delighted that IGNITETechTalk is taking place at AUB.”
Mrs. Danah Dajani, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation highlighted the importance of harnessing the transformative power of technological advancements: “At a time where advanced technology is reshaping industries and economies, education must adapt to ensure the empowerment and upskilling of MENA [Middle East and North Africa] youth. With the increase in demand for a tech-savvy workforce, equipping MENA youth with the necessary digital competencies is a key driver of their future success enabling young individuals to become active participants in the digital economy, creating a positive ripple effect on their lives, communities, and nations.”
Opening Panel
Empowering the Arab Youth: Upskilling and Jobs in the Digital Age
The opening panel discussion, moderated by Omar Christidis, CEO of Arabnet, united Achraf Bouali, Head of Office at OECD; Dina Sherif, Executive Director of Legatum Center at MIT; and Giorgia Varisco, Chief of the Adolescent and Youth Programme of UNICEF Lebanon. The three speakers engaged in a conversation about effective approaches to prepare youth for the digital era, ensuring they possess the necessary skills, job access, networks, mindsets, and entrepreneurial opportunities to create new employment prospects.
Dina Sherif, Executive Director of Legatum Center at MIT, highlighted the need for educational technology platforms and fostering values in education, saying: “We need Edtech platforms more and encourage the youth at the school level to prepare them for what’s to come. Moreover, values, values, values: these need to be at the core of our education.”
The panel also discussed the influence of AI and disruptive technologies, the importance of digital upskilling to equip youth with in-demand skills, and the need for closer collaboration with the private sector.
Giorgia Varisco, Chief of the Youth and Adolescent Section in UNICEF Lebanon, emphasised the importance of early intervention, stating: “Sometimes we focus on the older adolescents, but education is a continuum. The sooner we start to think of the issues we should solve, the better outcome and impact we have.” The panel discussion addressed crucial aspects of youth prepare for the digital era, underscoring the significance of early intervention, leveraging educational technology, and instilling core values in education.
Breakout sessions: Deep discussions about AI Digital Work Trends and Scaling SMEs
Participants were provided with the opportunity to further explore crucial subjects in the development sector through three breakout sessions.
Breakout Session #1: AI and Generative Models: Disruptions and Opportunities for Job Creation
The panel discussion was moderated by David Munir Nabti, representing Bloom, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to entrepreneurship programmes. David expressed optimism regarding social impact efforts and initiated a conversation about the delicate equilibrium between job creation and job loss in the context of AI disruptions. The panellists, including Roula Moussa, Co-founder of Netways; Christophe Zoghbi, Founder and CEO of Zaka AI; and Manal Jalloul, Founder and CEO of AI Lab.
The perspectives shared by the panellists identified practical strategies and initiatives that would empower individuals, businesses and educational institutions to flourish in the age of AI.
As Manal Jalloul, Founder and CEO of AI Lab, eloquently expressed: “Your imagination is the limit of what we can achieve in AI.” Manal also highlighted the increasing awareness and adoption of AI strategies in the Gulf region, such as the presence of AI ministers and national AI strategies in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This underscores the need for comprehensive support and training for the private sector to embrace AI, with governmental strategies and vision playing a significant role in fostering AI innovation.
The support and funding of AI startups and accelerators were identified as vital for fostering innovation in the field. Early-stage startups focusing on AI require financial backing to thrive and drive groundbreaking advancements. Coordinated governmental efforts, funding allocation, and long-term planning were emphasised as necessary for guiding AI innovation in the right direction, ensuring its positive impact on society.
The panelists reached a consensus on the importance of practical AI knowledge and hands-on skills to bridge the skills gap in the job market. They acknowledged the proliferation of AI startups in the region and emphasised the significance of practical training and experience for graduates to enter the workforce successfully. Furthermore, they acknowledged that AI jobs are not limited to engineers or computer scientists since AI can be applied across various fields, enabling individuals with diverse specialisations to leverage AI tools and enhance their work.
Breakout Session #2: The Digital Work Trend
This panel on addressing the challenges faced by Lebanon due to recent crises, including the Beirut Port explosion, economic collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic, and political unrest. One significant challenge highlighted was the difficulty faced by companies in finding the right talent, as many skilled individuals have left the country or need more skills.
The panel featured notable participants, including Malakeh El Haj, Director of Knowledge & Innovation at Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation; Sarah Shedeed, Head of Scholarships at Jusoor; Zeina Saab, Founder and Director of The Nawaya Network; and Imad El Hajj, Associate Dean at Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering & Architecture. These experts brought their insights and experiences to discuss the various initiatives, business models, and strategies that are working or not working in upskilling locals and matching them with digital jobs.
The session explored various aspects of the skills gap and the rapidly changing job market. Key questions included identifying the new digital skills needed, understanding how educational institutions, the private sector, and the Lebanese government can collaborate to close the gap, enhancing the digital ecosystem and nurturing local talent, facilitating remote work opportunities through upskilling, fostering digital entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems for job creation and innovation, and providing upskilling opportunities for refugees and hosting communities in Lebanon.
The World Economic Forum’s future of jobs report was referenced, stating that tech adoption would continue to drive business transformation in the next five years. However, the pressing challenge of skill labour shortages was acknowledged, with 76% of global workers feeling ill-equipped for the future of work. The panellists shared personal anecdotes and statistics that reflected the struggles faced by individuals seeking employment, especially in countries like Lebanon, which experienced various crises affecting the job market.
Emphasising the significance of investing in the younger generation under 16, Zeina Saab, Founder and Director of The Nawaya Network, stressed the need to incorporate essential elements into the education system to prepare ourselves and future generations for a technology-driven world,” she stated. She went on to identify three crucial aspects that should be prioritised: “Learning English, digital literacy, and career guidance are fundamental. If I had a magic wand, I would prioritise these three things for individuals under the age of 16. They are essential for nurturing a generation of curious individuals with the mindset to observe, comprehend, and embark on their journey at an earlier stage.”
Reflecting on the changing aspirations of students and youth, Mr. Imad El Hajj commented on the need to create an ecosystem in Lebanon that encourages young people to stay. He raised the question of transforming the existing ecosystem to ignite excitement among the youth, stating, “We need to ask how we can change the ecosystem to excite youth.”
Breakout Session #3: Digitalisation and Scaling SMEs
The third panel discussion featured several prominent experts in the digitalisation and scaling SMEs. Moderated by Mr. Issam Srour, the Founding Director of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Hub for Digital Teaching and Learning at the American University of Beirut, the panel included Mrs. Jessica Said, Deputy Director of The Nawaya Network, Hanine Ghannam, Founder of Mortben, and Mr. Mahmoud Said, Chief Projects Officer (CPO) of Al Moltaqa.
During the session, the speakers delved into the difficulties and obstacles that small businesses encounter in the Lebanese context. They shared compelling examples of how some small businesses are effectively leveraging digital technology to overcome these challenges and achieve survival, growth, and prosperity. Additionally, the speakers offered valuable recommendations and practical steps for small businesses to embark on their digital transformation journey, aiming to enhance efficiency and foster growth.
The panel discussion tackled several pivotal questions, including the identification of challenges faced by small businesses, such as issues related to infrastructure, finances, regulations, and tools. Furthermore, the discussion explored how digital tools can serve as effective solutions to address these challenges. Lastly, the speakers provided insights into the initial steps that businesses can take to leverage digital technology and tools to their advantage.
The panelisits agreed that by acknowledging these challenges, harnessing the power of digital tools, and embracing technological advancements, small businesses can pave the way towards operational efficiency, overcome regulatory hurdles, and achieve sustainable growth.
SPARK’s Director of Programmes, Mr. Michel Richter, delivered a closing speech in which he highlighted the efforts of SPARK and the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation in establishing pathways toward sustainable employment and changing the lives of youth. “SPARK is very excited to partner with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation and organise this regional event series on jobs for youth throughout the Middle East. Partners across sectors need to collaborate to facilitate young men and women, including refugees, better and create new opportunities for those who need these the most.”
The IGNITE conference series brings together governments, the private sector and NGOs in compelling conversations, keynotes, panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, quizzes and more. High-level international and local thought leaders from throughout fragile and conflict-affected regions bring their expertise in economic development, job creation and higher education for youth.
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