Doha: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has ratified Cabinet Decision No. (34) of 2026 concerning the organisation of selected administrative units within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the definition of their mandates.
The decision includes the establishment of the National Center for AI and the Digital Capability Development and Training Department, as part of efforts to develop the Ministry’s institutional structure, strengthen the digital capabilities of national talent, and enhance readiness to keep pace with the rapid transformations taking place across the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
On this occasion, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H E Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, said: “In line with the wise leadership’s directives, this administrative reorganization comes in response to the rapid transformations in the information and communications technology sector, particularly in artificial intelligence, in a manner that enhances the Ministry’s readiness to keep pace with these changes and supports the development of regulatory frameworks, policies, and national capabilities.”
The Minister said, “The establishment of the National Center for AI represents a strategic step to unify and coordinate the State’s efforts in this field, accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence applications, and strengthen the State of Qatar’s position among the leading digital economies, in support of the implementation of the Digital Agenda 2030 and the goals of the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3).”
He further stated: “Investment in national talent is one of the fundamental pillars of digital transformation. From this standpoint, the establishment of the Digital Capability Development and Training Department is intended to design and implement specialized training programs, build career pathways and professional certifications, and enhance partnerships with academic and technology institutions, ensuring the preparation of national talent with the digital skills necessary to lead digital transformation, meet the requirements of future jobs, and support the competitiveness of the national economy.”
The new administrative structure includes the establishment of the National Center for AI, which will report directly to the H.E. the Minister of Communications and Information Technology.
Comprising three departments, the Centre will play a central role in leading and coordinating artificial intelligence efforts at the national level, including preparing and following up on the implementation of the National AI Strategy, developing relevant regulatory frameworks and policies, supporting entities in adopting AI applications, and promoting the use of data across various sectors.
The new administrative structure also includes the reorganisation of several administrative units under the Undersecretary, with the aim of improving operational efficiency and placing greater emphasis on digital capability development. In this context, the Digital Capability Development and Training Department will be responsible for designing and delivering training programmes, enhancing technical and digital skills, developing digital competency assessment tools, and establishing partnerships with academic and technology institutions to strengthen the readiness of national talent.
This institutional reform reflects the Ministry’s commitment toward enhancing the digital sector’s readiness for the next phase by developing the institutional operating model, reorganising roles to reinforce integration between policy-making and execution, improving the efficiency of managing national programmes and initiatives, and enabling the Ministry to respond flexibly to rapid technological changes, ultimately improving the quality of government outputs, fostering innovation, and supporting the development of a knowledge-based digital economy.
