Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), reaffirmed the Organization’s full support for Palestinian students’ right to learn, innovate, and contribute to shaping the future. He also emphasized the importance of harnessing artificial intelligence to help Palestinian youth continue their education in ways adapted to the resources available to schools and universities, expressing ICESCO’s willingness to provide Palestinian institutions with the necessary support.

Dr. AlMalik made these remarks in a recorded address delivered during the Third International Conference on Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, held under the theme “From Vision to Implementation: Enhancing AI Adoption in Education in Palestine.” The conference was organized by the Palestinian National Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Center, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, on 14 October 2026 in Ramallah, under the patronage of H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas.

Dr. AlMalik explained that artificial intelligence is the language of the future, emphasizing that Muslim countries must help shape and guide its development for the benefit of society. He added that the value of digital transformation lies in its impact on people and the opportunities it creates. This requires universities to provide connectivity tools, develop skills, and prepare graduates for lifelong learning. He also commended universities for their role as hubs of innovation and critical thinking.

The ICESCO Director-General reviewed the Organization’s efforts to support its Member States in disseminating knowledge through several initiatives. Foremost among these are the Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World, launched in partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA); the ICESCO AI Index for the Islamic World, developed in cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Science and Education; the announcement of the 10K AI Leaders Training Program, in partnership with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE); and the release of the enriched third edition of the Multilingual Glossary of Data and Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. AlMalik concluded his address by calling for an assessment of Palestinian institutions’ readiness to employ artificial intelligence technologies in education and the identification of requirements related to digital infrastructure, training, and governance. He also called for encouraging students to harness their creative potential.