Qatar has announced a major strategic move in the technology sector with the launch of Qai, a new national artificial intelligence company operating under the country’s sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). The initiative aims to develop advanced digital ecosystems and AI infrastructure to support innovation and sustainable development in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Qai is tasked with positioning the country as a competitive regional hub for AI and data-driven industries, marking a significant step in diversifying its knowledge-based economy.
Strategic Mandate and Leadership
Qai’s core mission is to develop, manage, and invest in state-of-the-art AI infrastructures both within Qatar and internationally. The company will focus on providing secure high-performance computing capabilities and scalable AI systems to empower key economic sectors.
The new entity is chaired by Abdullah bin Hamad Al Misnad, a key figure who also serves as the Head of the Executive Office of Qatar’s Prime Minister and is a member of QIA’s advisory board. His leadership signals the high-level government commitment behind the initiative.
Leveraging QIA’s Global Reach
Operating under the QIA provides Qai with immediate access to a multi-billion dollar global investment portfolio and established international technology partnerships. This structure allows the new company to leverage long-term strategic planning capabilities and existing relationships with scientific research institutions, policy organizations, and the national innovation ecosystem to accelerate technology development.
The company will focus on attracting top international talent and collaborating with leading research institutions and global tech firms to strengthen Qatar’s advanced innovation ecosystem.
Competing in the Regional AI Arena
The establishment of Qai builds upon Qatar’s previous AI achievements, including the 2024 launch of Fanar, the nation’s sovereign large language model developed by the Qatar Computing Research Institute. Fanar was specifically trained with a significant portion of Arabic language data to address regional needs and incorporate local culture.
With the formation of Qai, Qatar now has the institutional framework and investment capacity to scale such initiatives. This move strategically positions the country alongside regional leaders like Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the race to develop comprehensive national AI capabilities, combining sovereign models, robust infrastructure, and strategic technology partnerships.
About Qai
Qai is a national artificial intelligence company established by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Its primary objective is to develop, manage, and invest in advanced AI infrastructures and digital ecosystems. The company is central to Qatar’s strategy to build a diversified, knowledge-based economy and establish itself as a competitive hub in the global AI landscape, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Source: Middle East AI News
