Qatar accelerates AI ambitions with focus on infrastructure, innovation and skills
<p>Doha, Qatar: Qatar is accelerating efforts to build an AI-enabled economy by investing in shared digital infrastructure, attracting global technology partners and equipping its workforce with the skills needed to turn artificial intelligence into measurable economic growth, a senior government official has said.</p> <p>Speaking at a session titled AI at Scale: From Ambition to Impact, held on…
Doha, Qatar - Qatar is swiftly advancing its artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions by concentrating on digital infrastructure, innovation, and workforce development, according to a senior government official. During a session at MWC26 Doha, Assistant Undersecretary for Digital Industry Affairs, H.E. Reem Al Mansoori, highlighted the government's coordinated national approach to ensure AI delivers tangible results across government and industry sectors.
Al Mansoori emphasized the past 12 to 18 months as one of the most rapid periods in technology development, requiring a more agile implementation strategy. She noted that once challenging technologies have become increasingly accessible in a short period. Qatar's assistance has been bolstered by strong government backing, including attracting global technology partners like Scale AI and forming partnerships with consultants and technology providers to develop its national AI program.
The Assistant Undersecretary stressed the critical role of governments in developing the AI ecosystem, given the scale of investment and technological advancement. She highlighted investments in data centers, computing capacity, graphics processing units (GPUs), and shared services as essential foundations. In Qatar, these efforts include establishing Qai, supporting from telecommunications operator Ooredoo for AI computing capacity, and utilizing the Tasmu Smart Qatar platform for shared services.
She also pointed to the National Planning Council's role in preparing and enabling access to national data, underlining data readiness and sharing as key requirements for AI development. Al Mansoori stressed that while infrastructure is crucial, it alone won't ensure success; organizations must set clear objectives for AI adoption and measure improvements in productivity, efficiency, and economic performance.
Successful implementation, she emphasized, requires direct leadership involvement, particularly in managing organizational change and ensuring AI applications create genuine value. Looking ahead, Al Mansoori expressed confidence that Qatar's national AI program, coupled with investment in skills and infrastructure, would support the country's 2030 development ambitions.
She highlighted the potential of AI to double the knowledge base and workforce, aiming to meet or exceed targets through the opportunities created by artificial intelligence.
Written by urgent.news from The Peninsula Qatar Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
