AGP Executive Report

Satellite Connectivity: Reuters reports that Biden and Trump officials repeatedly asked SpaceX to switch Starlink on or off in conflict zones, including seeking to block service they believed Hezbollah and Houthi forces were using. The requests highlight how decisions by a private satellite provider can shape internet access and communications in Lebanon and across the region.

Satellite Connectivity: U.S. administrations reportedly asked SpaceX to switch Starlink off to block Iranian-backed militias in Lebanon and Yemen, and on to restore internet access in Iran. The disclosures highlight how a private satellite network can shape communications in conflict zones. Digital Inclusion: A Euro-Mediterranean digital inclusion project at Beirut Arab University is moving toward implementation, following a delegation visit. Health Research: A study on war-affected Lebanon finds that enjoying horror films does not necessarily make people more psychologically resilient in a crisis.

Wartime Misinformation: A study of 142 claims from the 2026 Israel-Hezbollah conflict found that 86% relied on real images or video used out of context; just 11% involved AI-generated or altered material. The findings suggest detection tools focused on deepfakes may miss the more common form of deception. Digital Inclusion: A Euro-Mediterranean delegation visited Beirut Arab University as a digital inclusion project moved toward implementation. Education Research: Work by the Centre for Lebanese Studies, Cambridge and UNRWA warns that years of disrupted schooling could leave children in Gaza up to five years behind; UNRWA says recovery may take seven years.

AI and Misinformation: A study of 142 claims linked to the 2026 Israel-Hezbollah conflict found that 85.9% used authentic images or video deceptively, while just 11.3% involved AI-generated or altered content. The findings suggest verification efforts need to check context, not just detect deepfakes. Lebanese Engineering: Entrepreneur Fadi Daou was honored for building MultiLane’s main design and manufacturing center in his home village of Houmal, creating opportunities for young engineers to work in Lebanon. Digital Inclusion: A Euro-Mediterranean delegation’s visit to Beirut Arab University signals that a digital inclusion project is moving toward implementation.

Tech Entrepreneurship: Lebanese engineer and entrepreneur Fadi Daou was honored at a Silicon Valley benefit gala for SEAL, which raised nearly $800,000 for Lebanese farmers. His company, MultiLane, keeps its main design and manufacturing center in his home village of Houmal, creating engineering jobs in Lebanon. Workplace Research: A study of Lebanese employees examined how emotional intelligence relates to work-life balance, job satisfaction and engagement. Digital Infrastructure: Lebanon is considering tax relief tied to data-center and LEAP development, while a digital-inclusion project at Beirut Arab University moves toward implementation. Psychology: Research on crisis response in war-torn Lebanon found that enjoying horror films did not make people more psychologically resilient.

Workplace Research: A study of Lebanese employees is examining how emotional intelligence, work–life balance and job satisfaction relate to engagement at work. Health Financing: Researchers including an American University of Beirut public-health scholar argue that savings from fossil-fuel subsidy reform and revenue from the energy transition could help fund universal health coverage. Digital Infrastructure: Lebanon is considering tax relief linked to data-center and LEAP development, while a digital-inclusion project at Beirut Arab University is moving toward implementation. Lebanese Tech Talent: Tarek Mansour, who grew up in Lebanon, co-founded Kalshi, a prediction-market platform now facing legal challenges over whether its services amount to gambling.

Neurodiversity and War: Families in Lebanon say bombings and upheaval are worsening anxiety for young people with autism and ADHD, whose wellbeing often depends on stable routines and supportive environments. Digital Inclusion: A project at Beirut Arab University is moving toward implementation, aiming to advance digital access. AI Safety: A Lebanese family is suing OpenAI over the death of a 15-year-old, alleging failures in ChatGPT’s safety protections. Data-Centre Investment: Lebanon is weighing tax relief tied to data-centre and LEAP development. Conflict and Resilience: A study finds that enjoying horror films does not make people psychologically tougher in a crisis, challenging a popular idea in war-affected Lebanon.

Digital Inclusion: A Euro-Mediterranean delegation visited Beirut Arab University as a digital inclusion project moves toward implementation. Mental Health Research: A study in war-torn Lebanon found that enjoying horror does not make people more psychologically resilient in a crisis. Digital Infrastructure: Lebanon is considering tax incentives tied to a data center and LEAP development, a potential boost to the country’s technology capacity.

Digital Heritage: Lebanon’s Culture Ministry has launched a global archive for family photos, videos, letters, interviews and songs, inviting people at home and abroad to help preserve the country’s history. AI Safety: A Lebanese family has sued OpenAI over the death of 15-year-old Mathias Habib, alleging ChatGPT safety failures. Research: A study found that horror-film fans in war-torn Lebanon were not more psychologically resilient during crises. Digital Inclusion: A project involving Beirut Arab University is moving toward implementation after a Euro-Mediterranean delegation visit. Tech Infrastructure: Lebanon is considering tax relief tied to data-center and LEAP development.

Research: A study in war-torn Lebanon found that enjoying horror films did not make people more psychologically resilient in a crisis. Digital Inclusion: A Euro-Mediterranean delegation visited Beirut Arab University as a digital inclusion project moves toward implementation. Tech Investment: Lebanon is considering tax relief tied to data-center investment and LEAP development. AI Safety: A Lebanese family has sued OpenAI over the death of a 15-year-old, alleging failures in ChatGPT’s safety protections.

Agricultural Technology: Lebanon and Oman signed an MoU on Oct. 19 to share agricultural research, expertise and modern farming technologies, with cooperation also covering water management, drought adaptation, food safety and aquaculture. Digital Infrastructure: Lebanon is considering tax relief tied to data-center and LEAP development. AI Safety: A Lebanese family has sued OpenAI over the death of 15-year-old Mathias Habib, alleging failures in ChatGPT’s safety protections.

Digital Investment: Lebanon is considering tax relief tied to data-center investment and the LEAP development, a policy move that could help attract technology infrastructure projects. AI Safety: The family of 15-year-old Mathias Habib has sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT safety failures contributed to his death; the claims have not been established in court. Health Research: A survey of 465 novice nurses in six Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon, points to a training gap in psychological first aid for young clinicians working in conflict-affected settings.

Digital Infrastructure: Lebanon is considering tax relief tied to data-center investment and LEAP development. AI Safety: A Lebanese family has sued OpenAI over the death of 15-year-old Mathias Habib, alleging ChatGPT safety failures. Biodiversity: At a summit ahead of COP17 in Yerevan, Environment Minister Tamara El-Zein cited a World Bank estimate that environmental damage from the 2023–24 Israel-Hezbollah conflict exceeded $500 million. Surveillance Tech: Lebanon has kept Flock cameras unused but opted not to terminate its contract.

Digital Heritage: A new Italy-Lebanon archive lets people contribute photos, letters, maps, songs and videos to help preserve the country’s threatened cultural memory. An Italian-Lebanese team has also begun 3D mapping the Roman site at Faqra. Power Infrastructure: Qatar is planning a broad overhaul of Lebanon’s electricity system, including generation, gas supply and grid upgrades. The proposed Build-Operate-Transfer model would avoid upfront costs for the Lebanese treasury. AI Safety: A Lebanese family has sued OpenAI over the death of 15-year-old Mathias Habib, alleging safety failures involving ChatGPT. Data Centers: Lebanon is considering tax relief linked to data-center investment and LEAP development, a bid to attract technology infrastructure projects.

Digital Heritage: An Italian-Lebanese platform launched at Beirut’s National Library will collect family photos, letters, maps and recordings, preserving them on Italian research servers. A joint team has also begun 3D mapping the Roman site at Faqra. The effort comes amid reports from a Lebanese heritage network that more than three million books may have been destroyed since 2023. AI Safety: The family of Lebanese teenager Mathias Habib has sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT safety failures contributed to his death. The case raises questions about chatbot safeguards for young users. Energy Infrastructure: Lebanon and Qatar announced a plan to overhaul power generation, gas supply and the electricity grid. Under the proposed build-operate-transfer model, Qatari partners would fund construction, avoiding upfront costs for Lebanon’s treasury.

Energy Infrastructure: Qatar and Lebanon have agreed to develop a national energy framework covering power generation, natural-gas supply and grid upgrades. Under the proposed build-operate-transfer model, Qatari partners would finance and manage the projects, with no upfront cost to Lebanon’s treasury. AI and Safety: The parents of Mathias Habib, a 15-year-old Lebanese boy who died by suicide, have sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT conversations contributed to his death and that the company failed to protect him. The claims have not been tested in court. Medical Robotics: A Lebanese woman paralysed since 2014 reportedly stood and walked with help from a robot, offering a striking example of how rehabilitation technology may restore mobility.