AI regulation in Lebanon (2026)

On 9 September 2025 the Lebanese Council of Ministers approved a draft law creating the country's first Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence (MITAI). The law transforms a pre-existing State Ministry into a full ministry and must still be ratified by Parliament before taking legal effect.

Lebanon officially launched its National Digital Transformation and AI Strategy 2025–2030 in November 2025, targeting 80% of government services online, cloud-based public institutions, and raising AI/digital contribution to approximately 10% of GDP (~US$3.5 billion) by 2030. The strategy is a policy roadmap, not binding legislation.

The National Council for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (NCEI) developed a 'National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in Lebanese Industry (2020–2050)' and has hosted national AI conferences to build a policy roadmap. These are advisory/strategic documents without legislative force.

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) has provided advisory support for developing Lebanon's AI strategy, publishing guidance on the strategic framework and priorities for AI governance in Lebanon.

As of May 2026, Lebanon has not enacted any comprehensive AI law or AI-specific sectoral regulation. Existing digital legislation (e.g., cybercrime, data protection) is described by Lebanese authorities as outdated and 'from a different era,' with new cybercrime and data-privacy laws still under development.

Minister Kamal Shehadi announced a plan to invest up to US$50 million in AI and digital tools to modernize public services, covering national digital ID, digitized payments, and the legal/technical infrastructure required for AI deployment across government.