A number of experts consider the Cabinet’s decision yesterday to approve the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Committee to be timely, given the rapid global developments that are taking place. These developments have become the primary basis of competition among nations, and this will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the overall economic performance of the country. This committee will be concerned with developing monitoring and implementation mechanisms for Qatar’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy in coordination with the relevant ministries and entities in the country, towards achieving the objectives of the strategy. It will also oversee the programs and initiatives related to artificial intelligence launched by the country, ensuring their accessibility to various sectors, their completion, review, in coordination with the relevant ministries and entities in the country. Additionally, the committee will provide recommendations for human capital development plans and programs in the field of artificial intelligence applications, in coordination with various entities, as well as support startups in the field of artificial intelligence and scientific research in this field.
In this context, financial expert Tariq Al-Maliki states that the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Committee at the Ministry of Transport and Communications aligns with the world’s movement towards science fiction. He emphasizes that the committee’s creation is an important step to keep up with the global race towards artificial intelligence and to assume a role among the world’s countries in this competition. He further highlights that artificial intelligence is making significant progress across various countries, evident in self-driving vehicles and purchasing goods that determine size, color, type, and more, allowing orders to cross continents due to artificial intelligence. He also mentions surgical procedures being performed by doctors in other countries using endoscopic techniques.
Businessman Hassan Yousuf Al-Hakim affirmed that the Cabinet’s decision to establish the “Artificial Intelligence Committee” is a positive step towards coordinating efforts among various government entities to keep up with global developments in the field of artificial intelligence across different countries. He pointed out that Qatar possesses a solid infrastructure to keep pace with all the advancements that can maintain Qatar’s role in this domain. He emphasized that the committee will play a prominent role in developing mechanisms for monitoring and implementing Qatar’s artificial intelligence strategy in coordination with relevant ministries and entities in the country. Its responsibilities include overseeing programs and initiatives related to artificial intelligence launched by the state, ensuring their reach and successful implementation in different sectors, and conducting necessary reviews in collaboration with the relevant ministries and entities. He highlighted the importance of having plans and programs to train human resources in the field of artificial intelligence applications, which will support startups in the artificial intelligence sector and contribute to scientific research in this field.
Economic analyst, Engineer Jassim Mohammed Al-Shirawi, emphasized that building capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence technology is essential to achieve a sustainable and resilient economy. The need to establish committees that bring together various entities is a step in the right direction. Artificial intelligence has become a reality that the world is experiencing and holds significant importance in our daily lives. However, supportive initiatives in this field are still limited.
A prime example of the need to increase focus on artificial intelligence is evident in the repercussions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on all aspects of health, economy, and society. It has presented challenges in various sectors, such as education with the disruption of in-person learning at all levels. Similarly, the functioning of government ministries and service organizations, which provide essential services relied upon in our daily lives, and the movement of the country’s economic wheel have been affected. Vital economic sectors like oil and gas companies, petrochemical industries, private sector activities, factories, and others have also been significantly impacted. The need to reduce the number of employees and visitors in various departments has led to disruptions, affecting our daily lives and the economy as a whole.
All of this has compelled everyone to seek successful alternatives that adhere to the principle of physical distancing to ensure community safety. Various artificial intelligence applications have played a significant role in providing alternative and effective solutions. This highlights the necessity for governments to increase their focus on developing strategies, plans, and investments in artificial intelligence. Such measures would enhance the development of traditional activities and businesses, making artificial intelligence solutions an integral part of our daily lives.
Indeed, this calls for continuous collaboration among different entities and the involvement of the private sector in discussions and encouraging them to invest in developing their capabilities in this field. Working together to create programs and incentives to support small and medium-sized enterprises with the aim of encouraging them to invest in the artificial intelligence sector is crucial.
He also added that investing in the development of artificial intelligence and the ability to create safe and beneficial solutions in this field can significantly improve various aspects of life and move towards building a better future. It plays a crucial role in advancing education, healthcare, social and economic welfare, research, smart mobility, and more. The path to achieving this will require collaboration between the government, various economic and industrial sectors, academic communities, and civil society. It also involves educating and raising awareness among current and future generations about the necessary tools to harness artificial intelligence for sustainable development.
Source: Lusail Newspaper
