Arabic LLMs Are Beating ChatGPT in the Middle East (2025 Update)

The Middle East will transform its AI sector through Arabic-first large language models (LLMs) which show potential to match the capabilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT by 2025. The region from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh now produces LLMs that operate locally while being culturally adapted and cost-efficient to serve the regional linguistic requirements.

The domestic models succeed in MENA applications because they were specifically designed to handle the dialectical complexities and regional cultural requirements of the region for smart cities and digital healthcare needs.

Brightcall.ai's AI Agent seamlessly integrates with and connects to leading Arabic LLMs, enabling businesses to leverage intelligent localized communication tools for culturally aware AI-driven interactions with Arabic-speaking audiences.

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Why This Is a Big Deal

Governments across the region—especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—are pouring resources into AI as part of long-term strategies like Vision 2030. These plans prioritize keeping data local, building up Arabic natural language processing, and creating ethical, culturally-aware AI.

Unlike general-purpose tools like ChatGPT, which often miss the mark when it comes to dialects and context, these homegrown models are built with local users in mind. And companies like Brightcall.ai are using them to create better, more relevant customer experiences.

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UAE’s LLMs

Falcon (Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi)

• Overview:  Built by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi, Falcon is a major milestone in the UAE’s push to become a global AI leader. It’s open-source, licensed under Apache 2.0, and can scale up to a massive 180 billion parameters. In 2024, it even topped Hugging Face’s LLM leaderboard. While it started out with a focus on English and multilingual support, Falcon has quickly expanded its Arabic capabilities—driven by the UAE’s commitment to language diversity and national AI goals. Thanks to its open nature, developers around the world can tailor Falcon for local needs across the MENA region.
• Strengths: Multilingual capabilities, enterprise scalability, open access.
• Use Cases: Research, automation, enterprise applications.

JAIS (G42 + MBZUAI)

• Overview: JAIS, a joint project from G42 and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. The name JAIS, meaning “explorer” in Arabic, is super fitting because this model is all about breaking new ground in bilingual Arabic-English AI. It ranges from 6 to 70 billion parameters and handles Arabic dialects with a finesse that’s honestly impressive. It’s not just about spitting out words—it gets the cultural vibes right, which makes it perfect for things like education platforms, Arabic media, or customer-facing chatbots. If you’ve ever chatted with a bot that felt like it got you, JAIS is probably the kind of tech behind it.
• Strengths: Superior Arabic fluency, dialect handling, cultural alignment.
• Use Cases: Education, Arabic media, customer-facing chatbots.

KSA’s LLMs

Mulhem (Saudi Data and AI Authority, SDAIA)

• Overview: Mulhem, developed by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), is an open-source Arabic-first LLM that embodies Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of fostering a data-driven economy. Meaning “inspirer” in Arabic, Mulhem was created to empower Arabic-speaking users with AI that understands their language and cultural context. By prioritizing open-source accessibility, SDAIA aims to democratize AI development, enabling local developers and organizations to build applications that align with national priorities like digital transformation and data sovereignty.
• Strengths: Strong Arabic NLP, open-source, aligned with Vision 2030.
• Use Cases: E-government services, healthcare, Arabic content creation.

ALLaM (SDAIA)

• Overview: ALLaM is another key model from SDAIA, designed with enterprise use in mind. It’s built for heavy-duty applications—think smart cities, financial systems, and secure AI services that demand trust and compliance. It supports a wide range of Arabic dialects and is engineered to meet strict data privacy rules in Saudi Arabia. ALLaM reflects the Kingdom’s broader goal of building AI systems that are not just advanced—but regionally grounded and secure.
• Strengths: Dialect proficiency, enterprise security, scalable deployments.
• Use Cases: Urban systems, financial automation, secure enterprise tools.

METABRAIN (STC Group)

• Overview: METABRAIN, developed by stc Group, Saudi Arabia’s leading telecommunications provider, is a multimodal AI platform that processes text, images, and data analytics. Launched to support the Kingdom’s digital economy, METABRAIN combines scalability with regional customization, catering to industries like telecom and retail. Its development aligns with Vision 2030’s focus on innovation, enabling businesses to deliver personalized, data-driven experiences to Arabic-speaking customers across the MENA region.
• Strengths: Regional customization, multimodal functionality.
• Use Cases: Telecom optimization, retail personalization, customer analytics.

Humain (Human AI)

• Overview: Humain, created by Human AI, is a lightweight, ethical LLM designed to prioritize inclusivity and emotional intelligence for Arabic-speaking users. Rooted in Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ethical AI, Humain addresses the need for accessible, culturally sensitive AI solutions that cater to diverse populations. Its compact design ensures efficient deployment on resource-constrained devices, making it ideal for educational and healthcare applications that require empathy and cultural alignment.
• Strengths: Cultural sensitivity, emotional context, accessible design.
• Use Cases: Education, mental health, inclusive digital experiences.

ChatGPT: Great Globally, But Not Always a Fit Locally

There’s no denying it—OpenAI’s ChatGPT is still one of the top tools out there for general AI tasks. Whether it’s reasoning, content creation, or language support across dozens of tongues, it’s impressive. That said, it doesn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to Arabic.

The language support is there in theory, but in practice? It often stumbles with dialects, context, and cultural tone. And when you add in concerns around data privacy and regional compliance, especially in the Middle East, it’s clear: ChatGPT isn’t always the best fit for MENA-specific use cases.

Brightcall.ai: Built for Arabic, Tuned for the Region

At Brightcall.ai, we’ve taken a different path. Instead of trying to force a global model to understand local needs, we’ve leaned into Arabic-first LLMs.

We use these models to build communication tools that actually “get” the language, tone, and context people expect in the Arab world. Whether it’s handling a customer query in Gulf Arabic or routing a smart city service request in real time, our platform makes AI feel like part of the community—not an outsider trying to catch up.

For businesses, this means more natural conversations, better customer support, and a smarter, more human AI experience—right out of the box.

Arabic LLMs vs. ChatGPT: A Comparison‍

Why Arabic LLMs Are Gaining Ground

Arabic-first LLMs are quickly becoming the foundation of AI innovation in the Middle East thanks to:

• Linguistic Relevance: Better handling of dialects, idioms, and cultural context.
• Cost Efficiency: Open-source models like Falcon and Mulhem lower entry barriers.
• Policy Compliance: Alignment with regional regulations and national strategies.
• Cultural Fit: Models are built with MENA audiences, use cases, and values in mind.

Final Thoughts

ChatGPT is still great for global tasks and technical use—but when it comes to Arabic, the region’s own LLMs are catching up fast. Models like Falcon, JAIS, Mulhem, ALLaM, METABRAIN, and Humain are not just filling gaps—they’re redefining what’s possible with AI in the Middle East.

At Brightcall.ai, we’re proud to be part of this shift—leveraging Arabic LLMs to create powerful, region-specific AI communication tools. As the MENA region accelerates its AI leadership, the center of innovation may very well be shifting from Silicon Valley to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.

Resources

• Hugging Face Open Arabic LLM Leaderboard
• Saudi Vision 2030
• UAE National AI Strategy

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