Beirut:Minister of the Displaced and Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Kamal Shehadeh, represented President Joseph Aoun at the sixth Regional Conference on Cybersecurity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, held in Beirut.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the conference saw participation from MP Fadi Alameh, representing Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Minister Fadi Makki, representing Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, alongside representatives of the Arab League and various cybersecurity and technology experts.
During his address on behalf of President Aoun, Shehadeh highlighted the dual role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, noting its potential to enhance protection measures while also posing new risks by equipping cybercriminals with advanced tools. He underscored the necessity of securing AI systems, enhancing human oversight, and preparing for challenges associated with quantum computing, particularly in safeguarding digital communications, financial transactions, and sensitive governmental data.
Shehadeh emphasized cybersecurity's critical role in national security and digital sovereignty, cautioning that breaches could seriously disrupt essential services and undermine public trust. He called for increased cooperation among government entities, the private sector, universities, and international allies.
The minister also announced that Lebanon is close to finalizing a draft cybersecurity law, which aims to establish a national authority with the requisite powers to oversee cybersecurity matters. He outlined five key priorities for bolstering Lebanon's cybersecurity integrating security into digital transformation, enhancing national cyber resilience, developing specialized expertise, strengthening governance, and expanding regional cooperation and information-sharing.
In conclusion, Shehadeh stressed that innovation must progress hand in hand with security, responsibility, and trust to ensure sustainable technological advancement.
