Doha, February 02 (QNA) - A session held on Monday as part of Web Summit Qatar 2026 discussed the theme "Sovereign Artificial Intelligence: Building Technology in a Changing Global Environment." Speakers examined the practical features of multi-location sovereign AI infrastructures, as well as the role of neutral, scalable platforms and systems in supporting institutions operating within an increasingly fragmented digital landscape.
In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA) following the session, Director of the Digital Innovation Department at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Iman Al Kuwari, said she presented Qatar's perspective on the concept of sovereign AI, its implementation mechanisms, and the standards adopted by the State in this regard.
She noted that the world is undergoing a rapid transformation that necessitates the adoption of AI solutions across infrastructure and related technologies. She stressed that Qatar has clearly defined its strategic positioning and direction in this field, in support of its goals of economic diversification and building a sustainable digital ecosystem.
Al Kuwari added that the session addressed four key principles, foremost among them AI governance and the development of advanced technologies in line with societal ethical and cultural guidelines and frameworks. She also highlighted the importance of harnessing these technologies to serve citizens and residents and to support economic diversification pathways.
In her remarks to QNA, Al Kuwari pointed to several achievements realized by Qatar within the framework of the Digital Agenda 2030, noting that recognition and praise from the United Nations for Qatar's digital transformation experience, and its classification among global best practices, represent an international endorsement that the State takes pride in, reflecting its advanced standing in adopting modern policies and Pioneering technologies.
She emphasized that Qatar is keen to adopt the latest mechanisms and policies related to digital transformation, explaining that the concept of sovereignty in artificial intelligence extends beyond data hosting to encompass building national capabilities, developing solutions, and serving as a strategic partner in shaping the future of these technologies.
She said that Qatar has a strategic roadmap for digital transformation in the field of artificial intelligence, aimed at implementing between 30 and 50 projects by 2030 to improve the efficiency of government services. She noted that eight strategic projects have already been implemented, including the "Legislative Advisor" project launched by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, which has contributed to accelerating the development of legislative tools, reducing the process to five days compared to a previous timeframe of one month.
The session also featured remarks by Head of AI, Insights and Solutions for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at the US-based management consulting firm Bain & Company, Dr.آ Florian Mueller, who spoke about the values that can be adopted in relation to AI technologies and how the concept of sovereignty can be interpreted in this context.
He stressed the Significance of having the capability to design, deploy, and govern AI ecosystems in a manner consistent with the values and rules each entity seeks to uphold, while maintaining strategic and operational control, flexibility, and resilience in the event of unforeseen challenges, adding that no single actor can achieve this alone.
For his part, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, Noshir Kaka, described the issues surrounding artificial intelligence as particularly distinctive. He emphasized that achieving full sovereignty in AI is both costly and highly challenging, arguing that for many countries around the world, careful consideration is required regarding the appropriate level, scope, and applicability of such sovereignty, and the choices that states must make in this regard. (QNA)