In brief
BAREC 2.0, a new AI tool from Abu Dhabi’s Arabic Language Centre, NYU Abu Dhabi, MBZUAI and Zayed University, lets writers, teachers and students tweak Arabic texts to match seven readability levels. The project builds on 69,000 sentences from its first edition and offers explanations for how it classifies each level. Officials say the tool will improve comprehension and expand usable Arabic content online.
On 5 November 2026, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre announced the launch of BAREC 2.0, an AI system that reshapes Arabic texts to fit seven readability levels. The release was part of the fifth Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi.
Partnerships that made the project possible include New York University Abu Dhabi, the Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Zayed University. The new tool can simplify or enrich a passage by adjusting vocabulary and structure, and it supplies feedback explaining why a text is classified at a particular level.
BAREC 2.0 builds on the more than 69,000 sentences developed in BAREC 1.0, and offers writers a way to create material for readers of different skill levels. Educators can use it to tailor resources for classes, while students can turn hard articles into easier versions, improving comprehension and language learning.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Arabic Language Centre, said the project “is an important step forward in advancing Arabic readability research and harnessing modern technologies to support education and content creation.”
"By combining linguistic expertise with advanced AI models, we are developing practical tools that help assess and adapt Arabic texts to different readability levels. This will enhance comprehension, support content creation, and strengthen effective use of the Arabic language in the digital environment,"
Professor Fabio Piano, Vice Chancellor of NYU Abu Dhabi, added that the partnership was established to strengthen Arabic language education in the UAE and that the university was proud to lead the initiative.
The AI models behind BAREC 2.0 allow precise changes that can either simplify a text or rewrite it for higher‑level readers, providing educators and learners with a transparent guide to understanding readability. This launch is poised to make Arabic reading more accessible across digital platforms and educational settings.
