#Qatar #AIpolicy - Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has approved Cabinet Decision No. 34 of 2026, which provides for the creation of a new National Center for Artificial Intelligence within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). Once established, the centre will lead national AI efforts, including developing national AI strategy, developing regulatory frameworks and policies, and helping Qatari organisations adopt AI applications. The decision also provides for a Digital Capability Development and Training Department. The NCAI will report directly to the Minister.
SO WHAT? - Qatar has several AI-focused bodies, and this one is designed to sit at the centre of government policy and hold the brief on National AI Strategy. The country’s National AI Strategy was developed by the Ministry of ICT, the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) and a variety of AI experts drawn from government, industry and academia. Qatar’s first strategy was launched at QITCOM in 2019, in advance of many other countries. By creating a National Center for AI with a brief to develop strategy, set regulation and support adoption under one roof, the government aims to progress faster with national AI efforts.
KEY POINTS:
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani ratified Cabinet Decision No. 34 of 2026, which reorganises selected administrative units within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and defines their mandates.
The decision establishes the National Center for AI, which reports directly to the Minister, H E Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai. It has three departments covering strategy, platform development and strategic partnerships.
Its mandate includes preparing the national AI strategy and following up on its implementation, and developing policies and regulatory frameworks for responsible and safe AI use.
The Center will also design and develop AI applications and provide studies to government entities. It will promote data use across sectors and encourage local and international investment and collaboration.
The Minister describes the Center as a way to unify and coordinate the State’s AI efforts and accelerate adoption. It supports Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy.
The decision also creates a Digital Capability Development and Training Department. It will deliver training programmes, build career pathways and professional certifications, develop digital competency assessments and partner with universities and technology institutions.
Several administrative units under the Undersecretary are being reorganised, with the aim of improving efficiency and putting more emphasis on digital capability development.
The ministry says the reform links policy-making more closely to execution and lets it respond faster to technology change. The stated goal is a knowledge-based digital economy.
ZOOM OUT - Qatar's AI push has so far been led by research and investment bodies, more than a central policy unit. The Qatar Center for AI at QCRI, part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, has driven national AI research since 2018. Among other projects, QCRI developed Fanar, an Arabic-first sovereign model launched in December 2024. Last year, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) set up Qai, which immediately formed a $20 billion joint venture with Brookfield for AI infrastructure, confirming a mandate that is both local and global. The new National AI Center will now hold the brief for strategy, regulation and implementation.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Source: Qatar media, Qatar government
Read more about Qatar’s national AI initiatives:
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Qatar’s national AI platform’s powerful upgrade explained (Middle East AI News)
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