ICT & Innovation
From The Report: Qatar 2025
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Qatar’s leadership aims to create a knowledge-based economy supported by robust telecommunications infrastructure, a large and diverse community of scientists and a strong incubation programme for innovative start-ups. The country has designed policies to ensure these specific ingredients are in sufficient supply to fuel the required growth and development. Technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing are embedded across public sector agencies, enhancing a growing list of services and streamlining administrative work. The government’s focus on ICT and innovation reflects a strong awareness that meeting the country’s goals requires a steady stream of technological adoption and innovation, as well as constant vigilance against cybersecurity threats.

Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and IT; Ahmed Abdullah Al Muslimani, President, Communications Regulatory Authority; Lana Khalaf, General Manager, Microsoft Qatar; Abdulrahman Ali Al Farahid Al Malki, President, National Cyber Security Agency; and Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani, CEO, Ooredoo Qatar.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Early adoption: Public and private actors are taking key steps in integrating innovative technologies into a range of sectors
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Qatar’s leadership aims to create a knowledge-based economy supported by robust telecommunications infrastructure, a large and diverse community of scientists and a strong incubation programme for innovative start-ups. The country has designed policies to ensure these specific ingredients are in sufficient supply to fuel the required growth and development. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing are embedded across public sector agencies, enhancing a growing list of services and streamlining administrative work. In 2024 the government updated key sector strategies and oversight mechanisms, and the two major telecommunications…

Analysis

Innovation catalyst: International events and the development of Arabic-language artificial intelligence models are helping to cement Qatar’s role as a regional leader in digital innovation
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When Qatar’s leaders unveiled the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy in October 2019, they articulated two overarching goals: enabling organisations to use these new technologies and protecting Qataris from potential misuses. Those twin priorities continue to guide the deployment of AI throughout the strategy’s six pillars. The government has continued to create new bodies and policies, demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that AI becomes a catalyst for positive change. In September 2021 it created an AI Committee within the Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT), and tasked it with monitoring progress and tracking global…

Interview

Bright future: Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and IT, on regulatory developments and efforts to foster a skilled labour force
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Interview: Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and IT, on regulatory developments and efforts to foster a skilled labour force How is the regulatory framework evolving to support innovation and competition in the ICT sector? MOHAMMED BIN ALI BIN MOHAMMED AL MANNAI: Qatar’s regulatory framework is advancing in step with its Digital Agenda 2030 to promote innovation, fair competition and a secure digital economy. A consultative approach ensures alignment with national priorities and international standards. The National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy sets ethical and regulatory benchmarks for responsible…

Interview

Early adopter: Ahmed Abdullah AlMuslemani, President, Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), on supporting smart industries through infrastructure and workforce development
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Interview: Ahmed Abdullah AlMuslemani, President, Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), on supporting smart industries through infrastructure and workforce development What is being done to ensure digital infrastructure remains robust and adaptable, given the increasing importance of emerging technologies? AHMED ABDULLAH ALMUSLEMANI: Qatar ranks fourth globally in the 2024 International Telecommunication Union ICT Development Index, supported by a forward-looking regulatory environment. Legacy…

Analysis

New game: E-sports offer various opportunities for young professionals
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The Gulf presents a significant growth opportunity for the global gaming industry due to its young and tech-savvy population, extensive government support, and continued investment in tourism, hospitality and entertainment. According to the 2022 census, 63% of Saudi Arabia’s population is under the age of 30, with the median age being 29; the average disposable income for Saudi nationals is also relatively high by global standards. Moreover, the country’s hot climate means that people tend to spend more time indoors, making gaming a popular recreational activity. With its market worth an estimated $1.8bn, the Kingdom represents 45% of the…

Analysis

Digital fortress: Confronting the next generation of cyberthreats in the GCC
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With global geopolitical instability elevating the threat of cyberattacks against businesses and government agencies alike, the GCC is rapidly developing more robust and comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to respond to the evolving nature of such threats. Since experiencing their first major cyberattacks in the early 2010s, the six members of the GCC have looked at ways to bolster their cybersecurity by increasing their resilience and upgrading capacity. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 – which saw an increase in the number and sophistication of global attacks – has prompted more urgent action. The Portulans Institute’s…

Interview

Essential adoption: Lana Khalaf, General Manager, Microsoft Qatar, on big data solutions revolutionising decision-making across industries
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Interview: Lana Khalaf, General Manager, Microsoft Qatar, on big data solutions revolutionising decision-making across industries How will cloud computing adoption evolve alongside the proliferation of local data centres? LANA KHALAF: Adoption of cloud computing is poised for considerable growth, thanks to Qatar’s visionary approach to digital transformation. The government’s commitment, exemplified by initiatives such as the Cloud First Policy, underscores a strategic focus on fostering a…

Interview

Digital protection: Abdulrahman Ali Al Farahid Al Malki, President, National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), on evolving cybersecurity regulations and how emerging technologies can protect infrastructure
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Interview: Abdulrahman Ali Al Farahid Al Malki, President, National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), on evolving cybersecurity regulations and how emerging technologies can protect infrastructure How are ICT-related public bodies evolving cybersecurity strategies to safeguard against emerging threats in an increasingly digitised economy? ABDULRAHMAN ALI AL FARAHID AL MALKI: Qatar’s ICT-related public bodies, such as the NCSA, continuously refine cybersecurity strategies to protect critical digital…

Analysis

Plugged in: The widespread rollout of 5G is unlocking productivity gains
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With connectivity widely recognised as a key driver of the post-Covid-19 economic recovery, GCC countries are poised to expand their 5G networks. 5G in the GCC The UAE unveiled its Industry 4.0 initiative in October 2021 to increase innovation and productivity, lower the industrial sector’s carbon footprint and add some $6.8bn to the economy by 2031. To support this, the UAE has significantly accelerated its 5G deployment. In May 2024 e& UAE (formerly Etisalat) achieved a global milestone by recording the world’s fastest 5G speed of 30.5 Gbps during a demonstration in partnership with Ericsson. Meanwhile, du has begun rolling out 5G-Advanced…

Interview

Digital momentum: Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani, CEO, Ooredoo Qatar, on infrastructure-led innovation and inclusive growth
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Interview: Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani, CEO, Ooredoo Qatar, on infrastructure-led innovation and inclusive growth Which measures are the ICT sector taking to support economic diversification and digital goals outlined under Qatar National Vision 2030? SHEIKH ALI BIN JABOR AL THANI: Core strategies include developing Qatar’s digital economy, advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, and supporting local startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To accelerate…