WANA (Oct 05) – In today’s fast-paced world, artificial intelligence (AI) stands as one of the most advanced and influential fields of technology, playing a crucial role in global transformations. Iran, with a serious eye on the future, is actively striving to advance in this area.

 

The Supreme Leader of Iran has repeatedly emphasized the importance of AI, highlighting the need for the country to position itself among the top 10 nations in the world in this field. His remarks serve not only as a strategic directive but also as a call to action for all institutions and organizations to move towards mastering deeper and more advanced layers of AI.

 

Policy Fragmentation: A Barrier to Progress

One of the key obstacles Iran faces on this journey is the lack of coordination among various entities in formulating and implementing AI-related policies. Over the years, government and private organizations have developed numerous documents and plans for AI development, but the absence of a cohesive and unified framework has slowed down progress in this field.

 

In response to this challenge, the establishment of the “National Artificial Intelligence Organization” was proposed as a significant step toward unifying policies and large-scale planning in the AI domain. This organization was created to organize activities and guide policy-making. However, there is still a need for a closer examination of its functionality, and questions remain regarding its effectiveness.

 

The Key Role of Knowledge-Based Companies

In this journey, knowledge-based companies play a crucial role. As the main pillars of the innovation economy and technological development in the country, these companies have the potential to bring about significant transformations in the field of artificial intelligence.

 

Given that many of these companies in Iran are active in advanced technologies, they are expected to contribute significantly to accelerating AI advancements.

 

Additionally, the activities of these companies can create new job opportunities and enhance the knowledge and skills of the country’s specialized workforce.

 

Necessary Tools and Infrastructure

For Iran to achieve greater success in the field of artificial intelligence, a variety of infrastructure and tools are required. These include access to large datasets, high processing capabilities, training of specialized human resources, and fostering international collaborations.

 

Moreover, the coordination of policies and the establishment of a stable national framework are other essential factors that can expedite development. Without consistent and coordinated policies, efforts in this field may be wasted.

 

Iran’s Position Compared to Regional Countries

Although Iran ranks 18th globally in terms of published scientific papers, it still lags significantly behind regional countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. These nations are making substantial investments to become AI hubs in the region.

 

For instance, Saudi Arabia has invested over $2 billion, and the UAE approximately $1.2 billion, making significant strides in AI development.

 

Even Turkey, despite its economic challenges, has allocated $700 million to this sector. In contrast, Iran’s initial budget for the National Artificial Intelligence Organization was only $50 million, which has yet to be fully allocated.

 

While there have been promises to increase this budget to $215 million, Iran still faces serious challenges in this area. The secretary of the AI committee confirmed at a recent meeting of the AI Commission that even the initial budget has not been secured yet.

 

The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Iran

For Iran to compete with leading countries in this field, it requires structural reforms and increased funding support. Comprehensive programs, more coordinated policies, and strengthening technological infrastructure can help Iran secure its place among the top 10 countries in the world in artificial intelligence.

 

As regional competition intensifies and neighboring countries rapidly advance, Iran must also step forward with more determined and long-term plans to join this race. The future of AI in Iran depends on the decisions made by today’s leaders—decisions that could shape the country’s scientific and technological development for years to come.