AAI was organized in 1985 to represent Arab American interests in government and politics. AAI provides leadership training and strategies in electoral politics and policy issues that concern Arab Americans.

The Institute serves as a clearinghouse for Arab American participation in national, state and local politics and government; research on the Arab American constituency; and a forum for consensus positions on pressing domestic and foreign policy matters.

Through its board and staff, AAI acts as a resource to U.S. opinion and policy makers on a range of Arab American policy concerns, including U.S. Middle East policy and political trends in the Arab world.