GJU Hosts Workshop on “Exploration of Data Science and AI in Jordan” — Part of the MIT–Shoman Funded Project

The German Jordanian University (GJU) recently hosted a focused group workshop titled “Exploration of Data Science and AI in Jordan,” led by Prof. Munther Dahleh and Dr. Anas Atieh, as part of the MIT–Shoman funded project under the same title.

Prof. Dahleh is the William A. Coolidge Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a member of the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS). His distinguished career in systems theory, data science, and decision sciences has had a profound global impact on the integration of technology, policy, and innovation.

The workshop brought together leaders from academia, industry, the private sector, and government to discuss international trends and explore how Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be applied to address local and regional challenges in Jordan.

The event was attended by Prof. Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli, President of GJU, and Dr. Ismael Hinti, President of Al-Hussein Technical University (HTU). Other distinguished participants included Dr. Nabeel Al-Fayoumi, Vice President for Technology at the Royal Scientific Society and member of the Future Technology Council; Ms. Valentina Qussisiya and Ms. Muna Zaqsaw from the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation; Ms. Rasha Jaradat from ProgressSoft; and Mrs. Lama Arabiat, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies at the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. Faculty members from GJU and HTU, along with representatives from several private-sector organizations, also participated in the discussions.

Throughout the session, participants emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and government institutions to strengthen Jordan’s ecosystem for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to supporting Jordan’s vision for digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable development through interdisciplinary research, partnerships, and capacity building.

This workshop forms part of the MIT–Shoman collaboration, a joint initiative aimed at promoting scientific research and academic exchange between MIT and Jordanian institutions. The project seeks to explore how Data Science and AI can be strategically leveraged to advance innovation, economic growth, and societal well-being across Jordan and the broader region.