The AI Revolution: Qatar on the Right Track
According to the analysis of Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) and Deloitte, two major accounting firms, the artificial intelligence market in Qatar was estimated at around 31 million US dollars in 2022. It is expected to grow by about 17 percent annually to reach approximately 60 million US dollars in 2026.
The State of Qatar has been early in keeping up with global competition in developing AI technologies. In 2019, the Ministry of Transport and Communications adopted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Qatar, proposed by the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), a part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
The strategy aims to develop a plan that enables the State of Qatar to harness AI as a technological enabler contributing to achieving the four pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030: economic, social, human, and environmental. The strategy also outlines the preparation of Qatari society to effectively adopt AI technologies that are compatible with local needs and traditions.
The strategy identifies six core pillars that will help build a distinctive environment for research and innovation in the AI field within the State of Qatar and provide a framework for organizing future work plans and investments. These pillars are: education, data access, workforce, business, research, and ethics. According to the general plan of the strategy, the State of Qatar needs to focus on two fundamental aspects: the first is to become capable of producing world-class AI applications in areas of national interest fields and to have a business environment that enables the use of AI as an innovation driver. The second is to become an effective consumer of AI, with educated citizens, appropriate laws and regulations, and ethical guidelines.
Qatar possesses advanced digital infrastructure and holds a prominent global position in internet speed. The strategy acknowledges excellent opportunities for Qatar to possess future production means in AI through wise investments in this technology, especially with its well-educated and tech-savvy population. This allows reliance on AI-driven automation to rapidly enhance the capabilities of Qatar’s workforce.
The strategy points out that not competing in the field of AI could harm Qatar’s plans to diversify its economy and transform into a knowledge-based society. This is because AI-driven automation will significantly impact the workforce in all countries. According to a study by the Qatar Computing Research Institute, 46 percent of job tasks in the country can benefit from and be enhanced by using AI technologies.
However, the strategy also warns of a real threat, where some jobs, including office administrative professions that most Qatari citizens work in, are vulnerable to automation.
The strategy also suggests a number of recommendations within each pillar, outlining the measures needed to guide Qatar toward the future of AI and empower the state to achieve sustainable competitive advantages that preserve its active role in the global economy and society.
It concludes that Qatar is in a favorable position to develop and master AI applications and has a golden opportunity to become a key player in the AI-based economy of the future. However, Qatar needs to act immediately to seize this opportunity through intensive investment in educating, reskilling, and upskilling its citizens to enhance their current capabilities to utilize AI, and build a conducive environment for developing pioneering AI technologies.
In 2021, the Qatari Cabinet approved the establishment of a committee to develop mechanisms for monitoring and implementing this strategy in coordination with the relevant state ministries, authorities, and stakeholders. The committee’s tasks also include formulating recommendations for human capital training plans and programs in the field of AI in coordination with various entities, supporting AI startups, and scientific research in this field.
Other factors indicate an increasing demand for AI solutions in Qatar in the future, providing more job opportunities in this field. This includes the launch of TASMU Smart Qatar program, which focuses on enhancing the digital transformation journey in the country and building smart systems in five sectors: transportation, logistics, healthcare, environment, and sports.
Summary of Recommendations in Qatar’s National AI Strategy
- Education
- Qatar needs to develop a robust academic and experiential learning curriculum for adopting artificial intelligence (AI) across all levels of education (K-12), with a strong focus on project-based learning.
- Design degree programs with in-built apprenticeship pathways (e.g., AI based medicine) where students can interact with researchers and businesses for building Qatar-relevant AI applications.
- Promote a vibrant research and entrepreneurship ecosystem for innovative AI applications that naturally align with Qatar’s national interest.
- Adopt strategies for attracting top AI talent from all over the world.
- Employment
- Provide financial incentives to local businesses to embrace new AI solutions and resist the temptation of using low-cost labor as a substitute for embracing AI technology.
- Educate/Train Qatari citizens in managing, building, and investing in AI solutions for continuously improving the standards of living and economic productivity in Qatar.
- Research
- Build applications using Arabic language processing for business use cases to become the leader in this domain among Arab nations.
- Leverage AI expertise available within the country in strategically important domains for Qatar like oil and gas, transportation, health, and cybersecurity to build competitive advantage in specific use cases that could also generate export revenues in the future.
