What is it about?
The paper gives an overview of Arabic Large Language Models (ALLMs)—AI systems designed specifically for understanding and generating Arabic text. It explains how these models have developed, what data and benchmarks are used to train them, and the unique challenges they face (like handling many dialects and cultural nuances). It also highlights their potential uses in areas like education, healthcare, governance, and cultural preservation
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Why is it important?
It’s important because Arabic is spoken by over 422 million people, yet AI tools in this language lag behind English ones. Developing strong Arabic LLMs can close this gap, making advanced AI accessible to Arabic-speaking communities. This not only supports technology use in everyday life but also ensures cultural alignment, preserves dialects and heritage, and creates opportunities for innovation, regional collaboration, and economic growth.
Perspectives
I hope this article shows that Arabic Large Language Models are more than just a technical pursuit—they are about language, culture, and giving millions of people access to technology that truly reflects who they are. What might seem like an abstract discussion of data and benchmarks is, at its heart, about preserving heritage, bridging gaps, and ensuring AI serves communities in meaningful ways. If nothing else, I hope it leaves you curious and thoughtful about the future of Arabic language technology.
Shahad Al-Khalifa
King Saud University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Landscape of Arabic Large Language Models, Communications of the ACM, September 2025, ACM (Association for Computing Machinery),
DOI: 10.1145/3737453.
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