Doha, June 7 (QNA) – New data released by Microsoft for the first quarter of 2026 highlights Qatar’s increasing prominence in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), ranking the country among the world’s top 10 in the practical application of AI in daily life.
Artificial intelligence broadly refers to the field of computer science that focuses on developing systems that can perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence.
Recognizing the transformative potential of AI across industries such as construction, energy and government, Qatar has pursued a systematic investment strategy in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
According to the Tasmu Digital Valley platform, Qatar’s AI market will reach approximately $59 million in 2026, nearly doubling from approximately $31 million in 2022.
Improving quality of life through smart services and urban automation remains a key national priority. To achieve this goal, Qatar has launched a number of initiatives, most notably the Qatar Smart Program (Tasmu), which has significantly improved daily life in recent years. The impact of AI is becoming increasingly evident through improved mobility solutions and the expansion of digital services available to both citizens and residents.
Qatar has also adopted an ambitious and comprehensive AI strategy built around six key pillars: education, human capital development, ethics, governance, scientific research, and data management.
The effects of this strategy are becoming increasingly evident in the labor market, with an analysis conducted by the International Monetary Fund confirming productivity gains.
Several institutions are playing a leading role in integrating AI into everyday life in Qatar, including the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
While it is difficult to quantify the full scope of these efforts and their practical benefits, one notable example is the memorandum of understanding signed by Qatar Foundation and leading artificial intelligence company Scale AI during this year’s Web Summit. The agreement aims to establish a regional center for AI development and support the growth of Qatar’s talent pool in advanced technologies.
At the same time, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has strengthened Qatar’s AI ecosystem through a series of partnerships with global technology companies, including cooperation agreements with PwC Middle East and OpenAI to accelerate the adoption and development of AI applications.
Commenting on these trends, Nayef Al Nabit, Non-Resident Fellow at the Middle East Council for International Affairs, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that success should not be measured only by usage rates or application adoption. Rather, it should be measured through the readiness of organizations and societies to engage in technological change in a conscious and responsible manner.
He noted that technological innovations continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, and the true value of AI lies in humanity’s ability to understand, guide, and effectively utilize these technologies.
According to Al Nabit, the biggest challenge is not the speed of technology adoption, but establishing an institutional and regulatory framework that can ensure that AI is used responsibly and sustainably.
Al Nabit believes that artificial intelligence in Qatar has evolved beyond the simple use of applications and digital tools to become an integral part of the country’s future vision of public services, governance, digital transformation and long-term economic development.
He argued that investments in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence should be seen as long-term investments in Qatar’s future competitiveness and economic resilience.
Within the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030, AI represents part of a broader transformation agenda aimed at building a future-ready nation. The aim, he explained, is not just to introduce new technologies, but to create institutions that can adapt to rapid technological change and respond effectively to the changes that will shape the economy, society and labor markets in the coming decades.
Experts from the Middle East Council for International Affairs explained that Qatar’s digital and AI-related initiatives are part of a long-term preparation process for transformation that is expected to have an increasing impact across multiple sectors. In this context, such efforts are focused on establishing the foundations and systems needed to navigate the future, rather than adopting new tools or following temporary global trends.
He noted that these efforts have a common goal of strengthening digital readiness and preparing for future technological developments. While priorities and responsibilities may vary from agency to agency, the overarching goal remains to create an environment that leverages advanced technology across diverse disciplines.
According to Al Nabit, the most important factor is not the number of initiatives launched, but their ability to complement each other within an integrated framework that simultaneously addresses technology, human capital and organizational governance.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about Qatar’s future in artificial intelligence, predicting that AI will continue to have an increasingly positive impact on the way people work, learn and access services. He added that the most important transformation may not be due to the technology itself, but the ability of individuals and organizations to adapt to it.
In this regard, Al Navit expects that skills such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, continuous learning and the ability to work effectively with emerging technologies will become increasingly valuable. He emphasized that investment in human capital remains a decisive factor in realizing the full benefits of artificial intelligence.
Mr. Al-Navit concluded his speech by saying that countries do not progress by simply acquiring technology. Rather, progress depends on our ability to foster societies with the awareness, skills and preparedness needed to tackle technological change in responsible and sustainable ways.
Qatar’s digital transformation journey began in 2003 with the launch of an e-government portal that introduced a wide range of digital public services. The country took a major step forward in 2014 with the introduction of the Qatar Digital Government 2020 Strategy, which established a clear roadmap for technological advancement and innovation-driven development.
However, the most ambitious framework remains the Qatar National Vision 2030, which positions digital innovation as a key driver of economic growth and improved quality of life through advanced digital infrastructure and automated government services.
In support of these goals, Qatar continues to promote digital entrepreneurship through specialized institutions and initiatives such as the Digital Incubation Center and the Tasum Accelerator, both of which play an important role in fostering innovation and supporting emerging technology ventures. (QNA)
