Doha: Newly released data from Microsoft for the first quarter of 2026 highlights Qatar’s growing prominence in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), ranking the country among the world’s top ten nations for the practical use of AI in everyday life.
Artificial intelligence broadly refers to the field of computer science focused on developing systems capable of performing tasks that traditionally require human intelligence.
Recognizing AI’s transformative potential across industries such as construction, energy, and public administration, Qatar has pursued a systematic investment strategy aligned with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.
According to the Tasmu Digital Valley platform, Qatar’s AI market reached approximately $59m in 2026, nearly doubling from around $31m in 2022.
Improving quality of life through smart services and urban automation remains a key national priority. To achieve this objective, Qatar has launched a range of initiatives, most notably the Qatar Smart Program (Tasmu), which has significantly enhanced daily life in recent years. The impact of AI has become increasingly visible through improved mobility solutions and the expansion of digital services available to both citizens and residents.
Qatar has also adopted an ambitious and comprehensive AI strategy built around six key pillars: education, talent development, ethics, governance, scientific research, and data management.
The effects of this strategy are increasingly evident in the labor market, where productivity gains have been identified in analyses conducted by the International Monetary Fund.
Several institutions have played a leading role in integrating AI into everyday life in Qatar, including Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
While it is difficult to quantify the full scope of these initiatives and their practical benefits, one notable example is the memorandum of understanding signed by Qatar Foundation during this year’s Web Summit with Scale AI, a leading artificial intelligence company. The agreement aims to establish a regional center for AI development and support the growth of Qatari talent in advanced technologies.
At the same time, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has strengthened Qatar’s AI ecosystem through a series of partnerships with global technology firms, including a cooperation agreement with PwC Middle East and OpenAI to advance the adoption and development of AI applications.
Commenting on these developments, Non-Resident Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Nayef Al Nabit, told QNA that success should not be measured solely by usage rates or the spread of applications. Rather, it should be assessed through the readiness of institutions and society to engage with technological transformation in a conscious and responsible manner.
He noted that technological innovation continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, and that the true value of AI lies in humanity’s ability to understand, guide, and utilize these technologies effectively.
According to Al Nabit, the greatest challenge is not the speed of technological adoption but the establishment of institutional and regulatory frameworks capable of ensuring that AI is used responsibly and sustainably.
