The Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council recently convened key national stakeholders for the ‘Foresight Workshop: Shaping Qatar’s RDI Ecosystem in the Age of AI’, a pivotal two-day event designed to outline the country’s strategic path toward becoming a regional leader in artificial intelligence.
The workshop, organised within the framework of Qatar’s National Development Strategy, brought together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to build a shared vision for AI innovation, identify future opportunities, and map out strategic interventions to guide national policy and research priorities.
A Strategic Convergence of National Stakeholders
Over 100 participants from across Qatar’s innovation ecosystem attended the event. This included representatives from regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Municipality, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Transport, and the National Cyber Security Agency.
Technology providers, academic institutions, and investment organisations also took part in scenario-based discussions exploring how drivers like AI talent mobility, governance models, compute infrastructure, and public confidence will shape Qatar’s AI trajectory over the next decade.
Forging Actionable Strategies for an AI-Powered Future
The workshop focused on translating high-level ambitions into tangible outcomes. Nejoud Al-Jehani, Executive Director at QRDI Council, highlighted the event’s significance, stating, “This two-day workshop was the first of its kind that we have conducted and represented an important step to ensure alignment with Qatar’s AI ambitions through actionable strategies.”
This sentiment was echoed by Bassam Issa Al-Mannai, Assistant Secretary-General for the Centre for Future Foresight and National Visions at the National Planning Council. “Future foresight plays a vital role in shaping Qatar’s strategic direction in the age of artificial intelligence,” he noted.
“By anticipating emerging opportunities and integrating foresight into national planning, we ensure that AI serves as a cornerstone for innovation, economic diversification, and the realisation of Qatar’s long-term development vision.”
Charting Qatar’s Leadership in Responsible AI
A key feature of the workshop was a high-level panel discussion titled “Where Can Qatar Lead in Innovation in AI?”. The session, moderated by QRDI Senior Programme Director Hind A. Zaki, explored areas where Qatar could establish leadership in AI research, data governance, and responsible innovation.
The panel featured prominent voices including Sami Al Shammari from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Dr. Konstantinos Meichanetzidis from Quantinuum, and Mohamed Benaichouche from Microsoft. The outcomes from the workshop will directly inform Qatar’s broader efforts under the Qatar National Vision 2030 to build a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
About Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council
The QRDI Council is a national entity mandated to build a thriving and globally connected Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) ecosystem in Qatar. It develops and implements the national RDI strategy by directing funding, fostering collaboration between government, academia, and industry, and creating policies that support the country’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy.
Source: Zawya
