Access to Knowledge for Development Center - A2K4D

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Access to Knowledge for Development Center - A2K4D

A2K4D’s work is guided by a belief in the positive impact of A2K on inclusive development in the digital age.

A2K4D at AUC's Onsi Sawiris School of Business is a regional research center on access to knowledge, intellectual property & human development in Egypt and the Arab world The Access to Knowledge for Development Center (A2K4D) at The American University in Cairo’s Onsi Sawiris School of Business is a regional center for scholarship, research and policy analysis on access to knowledge, intellectual

property and human development in Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa. A2K4D promotes rigorous research on legal and economic issues confronting access to knowledge, a valuable resource to academics and policymakers. The center strives to raise awareness of the A2K paradigm. In collaboration with international partners, A2K4D launched the Access to Knowledge Global Academy in 2008, promoting research and advocacy on the equitable production and distribution of knowledge goods and tools. A2K4D is the recipient of the Richard Bartlett Gift to support collaboration with Yale Law School's Information Society Project. The center is also a participant in the Global Network of Internet and Society Centers, championed by Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Additionally, A2K4D serves as the North African Hub of the Open African Innovation Research Partnership (Open AIR). We also write at Knowledge Maze our blog for ideas in the making, thought processes and initial articulations surrounding access to knowledge.

24/05/2026

The AI Cairo Convening, organized by the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI at the Access to Knowledge for Development Center (A2K4D) in collaboration with the Al-Khwarizmi Initiative for Artificial Intelligence and the American University in Cairo's Executive Education Program at the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP Exec Ed), was held on April 27, 2026 at The American University in Cairo (AUC).

The convening gathered around 40 experts to exchange insights on the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption in Egypt.

The gathering brought together leading policymakers, academics, business leaders, parliamentarians, and civil society experts to discuss Egypt’s AI future and assess the country’s readiness for artificial intelligence development.

Discussions emphasized the importance of a targeted, human-centered AI strategy focused on sector-specific solutions, workforce development, education reform, and risk-based governance, aligned with Egypt’s economic realities and long-term development goals.

The convening concluded with seven key recommendations addressing AI infrastructure, regulation, workforce transition, education transformation, data readiness, socio-economic implications, and governance frameworks.

IDRC Middle East and North Africa
Open African Innovation Research - OpenIDRC / CRDI
AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business
Global Network of Internet & Society Centers

20/05/2026

“Platform work in Morocco” highlights a fast-growing sector shaped by opportunity, but also deep precarity:

- Platform work—especially ride-hailing and delivery—is growing quickly, driven by national investments in digitalization and rising demand. Delivery platforms, in particular, are scaling fast.

- With over 70% of employment in the informal economy, platform work doesn’t replace insecurity—it often extends it into the digital space, especially for young workers.

- Misclassification is at the core of platform work. Their classification as “self-employed entrepreneurs” excludes them from labor protection, relieves platforms of employer responsibilities, and leaves workers without minimum wage, contracts or bargaining rights.

- Worker experiences reveal systemic risks: they do not have paid leave, job security, or retirement benefits. They incur high out-of-pocket costs for equipment and fuel, and face exposure to accidents and unsafe conditions.

- Though there are emerging signs of interest in collective action, with workers seeing unions as a path to rights and protections, the fragmented nature of the platform workforce makes organizing a challenge.

Read the report for full insights:https://menaobservatory.ai/storage/publications/7NId0wfRmckPXUKPXxUEvWsJRKuYkC-metaQTJLNEQgLSBOZXcgV29yayAtIFBsYXRmb3JtIFdvcmtlcnMgLSBDYXNlIG9mIE1vcm9jY28gLSBQb2xpY3kgUGFwZXIgKEVOKSAtIFYzLnBkZg==-.pdf

Global Network of Internet & Society Centers
Open African Innovation Research - Open AIRIDRC Middle East and North AfricaOxford Internet Institute, University of OxfordIDRC / CRDIAUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business

19/05/2026

We are proud to see Dr. Nagla Rizk, Director of the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI and the Access to Knowledge for Development Center at The American University in Cairo, featured in the latest Spring 2026 issue of AUCToday.

Her feature, “Balancing Bias: Feminist AI,” highlights the importance of inclusive and responsible AI development, while shedding light on critical conversations around gender, ethics, and technology in the region and beyond.

Read the full feature here: https://auctoday.aucegypt.edu/news/balancing-bias-feminist-ai

Open African Innovation Research - Open AIR
IDRC Middle East and North Africa
IDRC / CRDI
Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford
AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business
Global Network of Internet & Society Centers

18/05/2026

We are pleased to announce the signing of a strategic collaboration between ACG - Abdin’s Consultancy Group and the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI, the flagship initiative of the Access to Knowledge for Development Center based at Onsi Sawiri School of Business, The American University in Cairo. This collaboration aims to support the advancement of Responsible AI awareness, dialogue, and ecosystem collaboration across the Middle East and North Africa.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment towards enabling more responsible, ethical, inclusive, and sustainable AI adoption through a variety of joint initiatives, including:
• Co-organized webinars, roundtables, and AI events
• Responsible AI awareness and capacity-building activities
• Participation in AI hackathons, accelerators, and innovation programs
• Expert contributions, judging panels, and mentorship support
• Collaborative discussions around AI governance and regional readiness

We look forward to working closely together to help shape impactful conversations and practical initiatives that support organizations, startups, policymakers, academia, and future leaders navigating the evolving AI landscape.

Special thanks to both teams for their collaboration and shared vision towards building a more responsible AI future for the region.

Global Network of Internet & Society Centers
Open African Innovation Research - Open AIR
IDRC Middle East and North Africa
IDRC / CRDI
AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business

17/05/2026

On 11 May 2026, the Access to Knowledge for Development (A2K4D) Center at The American University in Cairo hosted the roundtable discussion “Incentivizing Formalization: Women Informal Entrepreneurs in Egypt’s Digital Economy” at AUC Tahrir Campus.

The event brought together researchers, policymakers, parliamentarians, development practitioners, and civil society representatives to discuss the realities and challenges facing women informal entrepreneurs in Egypt’s digital economy, while exploring pathways toward more inclusive and sustainable formalization policies.

The discussions tackled key themes including social protection, financing, labor formalization, legal and bureaucratic barriers, productive clusters, governance frameworks, and multi-stakeholder coordination needed to support women’s economic empowerment and digital inclusion.

The roundtable featured distinguished speakers and experts from A2K4D, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Egypt, UN Women, the Egyptian Parliament, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, alongside leading researchers and professionals working across economic development and social equity.

We are proud to continue fostering evidence-based dialogue and collaborative policy discussions that advance inclusive digital economies and women’s empowerment in Egypt and the region.

IDRC Middle East and North Africa
IDRC / CRDI
AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business
Open African Innovation Research - Open AIR
Global Network of Internet & Society Centers
Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford

14/05/2026

“The perils of digital work in Lebanon: Lessons from taxi and delivery workers” reveals how platform work in Lebanon has expanded rapidly amid crisis—offering income opportunities, but deepening worker vulnerability:

- Lebanon’s economic collapse has pushed more workers into platform jobs, with digital labor becoming a key survival strategy in an economy marked by high unemployment, informality, and declining wages.

- Despite “easy access”, platform work isn’t equally accessible
Gender: Overwhelmingly male-dominated (only 1 woman in 50 workers surveyed)
Geography: Opportunities concentrated in Beirut, forcing long commutes or relocation
Nationality: Legal restrictions exclude non-Lebanese workers from ride-hailing

- Workers are labeled independent, yet face algorithmic control and strict performance rules, penalties, suspensions, and constant monitoring.

- Most platform workers lack effective access to social protection, even when technically eligible. Delivery workers, in particular, are excluded from formal systems altogether.

- Earnings vary widely and are often unreliable, especially in delivery. Workers work long hours, rely on multiple platforms, and bear high operational costs.

- Against the promise of flexibility, two-thirds of workers would leave platform work for stable, protected employment.

Read the full report for deeper insightshttps://menaobservatory.ai/storage/publications/ibPwbG5O9NfEu0g3QxKx3uWFoTWF9R-metaQTJLNEQgLSBOZXcgV29yayAtIFBsYXRmb3JtIFdvcmtlcnMgLSBDYXNlIG9mIExlYmFub24gLSBQb2xpY3kgUGFwZXIgKEVOKSAtIFYzLnBkZg==-.pdf

Global Network of Internet & Society Centers
Open African Innovation Research - Open AIR
IDRC Middle East and North Africa
Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford
IDRC / CRDI
AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business

13/05/2026

Join us for an upcoming public lecture hosted by the DSTI/NRF SARChi in Transformative Innovation, 4IR and Sustainable Development, College of Business & Economics at the University of Johannesburg featuring Dr. Nagla Rizk, Director of the Access to Knowledge for Development Center and the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI.

Topic:
“Feminist AI: Perspectives on Gender, Technology and Inclusion in the Middle East and North Africa”

🗓 19 May 2026
🕑 From 2:00 to 3:00 PM Cairo Time
📍 Hybrid Event | University of Johannesburg & Microsoft Teams

Event link: https://teams.microsoft.com/light-meetings/launch?p=rZCKX5VClO6aC9va5U&anon=true&lightExperience=true&correlationId=05490bc2-839b-4f65-83a8-d7cf5bfdb729&agent=web&coords=eyJtZWV0aW5nVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90ZWFtcy5taWNyb3NvZnQuY29tL21lZXQvMzYwNTEzNzg3MDIxOTU0P3A9clpDS1g1VkNsTzZhQzl2YTVVJmFub249dHJ1ZSZsaWdodEV4cGVyaWVuY2U9dHJ1ZSZjb3JyZWxhdGlvbklkPTA1NDkwYmMyLTgzOWItNGY2NS04M2E4LWQ3Y2Y1YmZkYjcyOSZhbm9uPXRydWUiLCJtZWV0aW5nQ29kZSI6IjM2MDUxMzc4NzAyMTk1NCIsInBhc3Njb2RlIjoiclpDS1g1VkNsTzZhQzl2YTVVIn0%3D&deeplinkId=7ea29b7b-0f1c-433f-b547-4e42d2dc592e

The lecture will explore the intersections of AI, gender, inclusion, and responsible technology in the MENA region, drawing on Dr. Nagla’s extensive work in digital inclusion, AI governance, and development.

IDRC / CRDI
IDRC Middle East and North Africa
Open African Innovation Research - Open AIR
Global Network of Internet & Society Centers
Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford

04/05/2026

Egypt–OECD Country Programme Closing Conference
📍 St. Regis Hotel, New Administrative Capital | 4 May 2026

The Egypt–OECD Country Programme Closing Conference marked the conclusion of Phase I of a multi-year collaboration supporting Egypt’s economic reform agenda. The conference brought together high-level government representatives, OECD leaders, and key stakeholders to reflect on progress achieved across policy areas, including governance, private sector development, and digital and green transitions. It also set the stage for future priorities, focusing on strengthening resilience, enhancing competitiveness, and advancing sustainable, inclusive growth.

The programme has played a key role in integrating Egypt into international frameworks, strengthening evidence-based policymaking, and fostering collaboration aligned with global best practices.

Our team was proud to attend and represent the Access to Knowledge for Development Center (A2K4D) and contribute to highlighting the work of the MENA Observatory, engaging in important discussions around policy, innovation, and the future of development in the region.

IDRC Middle East and North Africa
Open African Innovation Research - Open AIR
Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford
IDRC / CRDI
AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business
Global Network of Internet & Society Centers

03/05/2026

Yesterday at Convergence Summit 2026, we hosted the IMPACT session:
“Responsible AI for Policy, Practice & People: From Research to Impact” at Oriental Hall, AUC Tahrir Square.

The session explored how Responsible AI can move from research into real-world impact—driving inclusive, ethical, and human-centered innovation across the MENA region. Key discussions covered AI for business and applications, gender inclusion, and the future of work.

We were honored to hear from:
Dr. Nagla Rizk, who highlighted the work of the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI
Dr. Marwa Saudi, who spoke on the importance of AI ethics
Dr. Dina Abdel Fattah, who explored AI and the future of work, and how it intersects with gender and development
Dr. Mostafa Amin, who addressed the role of AI in healthcare and whether it can replace doctors.

Global Network of Internet & Society Centers
Open African Innovation Research - Open AIR
IDRC Middle East and North Africa
IDRC / CRDI
AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business

28/04/2026

Convergence Summit 2026 | IMPACT Session

Join us for an engaging session on:
“Responsible AI for Policy, Practice and People: From Research to Impact”

🗓 Date: May 2, 2026
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Ewart Hall, AUC Tahrir Square

This session explores how Responsible AI can drive inclusive and ethical technology futures, highlighting the critical role of research in shaping real-world impact.

We’ll dive into three key tracks:
• Responsible AI for business and practical applications
• Responsible AI for gender inclusion
• Responsible AI and the future of work

The discussion will conclude with key insights on embedding human-centered and ethical approaches in innovation, and the role of regulation in enabling inclusive development.

Speakers:
Dr. Nagla Rizk
Dr. Marwa Saudi
Dr. Dina Abdel Fattah
Dr. Mostafa Amin

🎟 Registration is now open
Free entry for AUCians

🔗 Learn more & register: www.convergence-summit.com
Buy your tickets: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGJ5vVXei5oviKci9BGDzF0W2SAQYVb5nlUvW4zcwgcjZ6aQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110862134379501474274

Global Network of Internet & Society Centers
Open African Innovation Research - Open AIR
IDRC Middle East and North Africa
IDRC / CRDI

26/04/2026

“The Rise of Platform Work in Jordan: Opportunity or Precarity?” reveals that platform work– both on-ground and online– is no longer a trend– but a structural part of Jordan’s labor market, although not without challenge:

- With high unemployment—especially among youth and women—platform work is becoming a critical income source for thousands. Flexibility and low entry barriers make it attractive, particularly for those shut out of traditional jobs.

- While workers value control over their schedules, most struggle with unstable and insufficient income, often working long hours just to cover basic needs.

- Exclusion from health insurance and social security leaves platform workers highly vulnerable

- While platforms open doors for women, social stigma and safety concerns still limit participation in certain sectors.

Read the report for the full analysis:https://menaobservatory.ai/docs/jordan/jordan-platform-workers-policy-paper-en.pdf

Global Network of Internet & Society Centers
Open African Innovation Research - Open AIR
IDRC Middle East and North Africa
IDRC / CRDI
AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business

Address

Cairo

Website

https://business.aucegypt.edu/research/centers/a2k4d, https://menaobservatory.ai/en/home

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