Abu Dhabi:The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), has launched the second edition of the Balanced Arabic Readability Evaluation Corpus (BAREC) project. This initiative aims to provide AI-powered tools designed to rewrite Arabic texts according to different readability levels, offering explanatory feedback to users.

According to Emirates News Agency, the BAREC project is being developed in collaboration with MBZUAI and Zayed University. An agreement supporting the project was announced during the fifth edition of the Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries at Manarat Al Saadiyat, attended by key figures such as Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, and Professor Fabio Piano, Vice Chancellor of NYUAD.

Building upon the foundation set by BAREC 1.0, which developed over 69,000 sentences, this new phase introduces innovative tools that cater to specific reading proficiency levels. These tools will aid writers in developing materials for varying audiences, help educators create resources for learners with different proficiency levels, and assist students in simplifying complex texts to enhance their comprehension and language skills.

Dr. Bin Tamim emphasized the significance of BAREC 2.0 in advancing Arabic readability research and supporting education through modern technologies. The project combines linguistic expertise with advanced AI models to provide practical tools that assist in assessing and adapting Arabic texts to different readability levels.

BAREC 2.0 employs advanced AI models that adjust the readability of Arabic texts through specific vocabulary and structural changes. This ensures the texts can be simplified or rewritten for more advanced levels while offering explanatory feedback on the text's classification, thereby increasing the tool's educational value.

Professor Piano remarked on the partnership's role in strengthening Arabic language education in the UAE. NYU Abu Dhabi is proud to lead BAREC 2.0, and the outcomes are expected to assist educators in selecting and adapting materials for students, enhancing curriculum design, and fostering inclusive learning experiences. The collaboration exemplifies NYUAD's commitment to advancing global scholarship and contributing to society.

The BAREC project initially launched in 2023, with a team from NYU Abu Dhabi and Zayed University, aimed to build a 10-million-word linguistic corpus with a focus on readability levels across diverse genres and countries of origin.