Despite significant ambition, Africa and the Arab world are facing challenges in implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The core issue isn’t a lack of desire to develop AI, but rather a deficiency in execution. This suggests a disconnect between strategic goals and practical application in the region. The article highlights this implementation gap as a major hurdle for AI advancement across Africa and the Arab world. This deficiency impacts potential economic and social benefits stemming from AI innovation. Further analysis is needed to pinpoint the specific barriers hindering successful AI deployment in these regions. Kapitalis first published the article addressing this critical challenge.