Doha, May 22 (QNA) - HE CEO of Ooredoo Qatar Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammed Al-Thani highlighted the company’s firm commitment to investing in advanced technologies, led by AI, to support Qatar’s digital transformation and empower key sectors of the economy.

Speaking during a session titled Realizing AI's Potential at the Qatar Economic Forum 2025, The CEO said that Ooredoo Qatar continues to align its technology investments with the country’s broader digital agenda.

He explained that the company is working to make its infrastructure smarter, and that will require upgrading and expanding its data centers. He noted that accelerating the adoption of AI tools is crucial, saying that AI is needed to manage infrastructure, improve customer service, and shift from reactive to proactive systems. His Excellency added that, by using the right AI tools, the company can significantly enhance its preventive maintenance operations.

CEO of Ooredoo Qatar further noted that embracing AI isn't just about upgrading infrastructure, it's also about investing in innovation. He stressed the need for Ooredoo to be a leader in this space, adding, that the company was committed to doing what’s necessary to make the most of the technology, which would mean continuous investing in the right innovations and technologies.

His Excellency acknowledged that as regional investment in AI grows, so must efforts to advance further, stressing that there was still a lot more to be done, particularly as demand from the market and customers increase particularly when it comes to AI and the need for scalable data center infrastructure. He expressed confidence that the region can exceed its current capabilities.

On the topic of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts, He said that the company is using an AI-powered tool that helps reduce energy consumption, emphasizing the importance of keeping up with the rapid pace of AI development and adoption.

He affirmed that Qatar’s National Vision 2030 is now moving from planning to implementation, alongside the nation’s Digital Agenda 2030, which directly affects the telecom sector and beyond. He revealed that Qatar has allocated about $2.5 billion toward AI and digital transformation initiatives.

Part of this strategy, he noted, involves creating jobs in AI and information and communication technology. Over 26,000 new jobs are expected to be generated in the coming years as part of this transformation.

Meanwhile, General Manager of Microsoft Qatar Lana Khalaf praised the country’s ability to implement cutting-edge technologies to support and advance various sectors.

She countered the notion that AI will eliminate jobs, saying instead that it will enhance employee performance and productivity, ultimately increasing returns on technology investments.

Khalaf also stressed the importance of upskilling the workforce in AI-enabled institutions. She highlighted that, over the past four years, the company has trained and retrained 50,000 professionals in Qatar in key technology areas, including cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity. She added that the company was now expanding these efforts. (QNA)