Qatar building digital economy based on knowledge, innovation

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 26, 2026

Qatar is investing in digital infrastructure, talent development, AI adoption, and governance to advance its digital economy in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. This strategy, highlighted at the World Investment Forum 2026, includes a $20 billion AI infrastructure partnership and aims to create over 50,000 training opportunities, positioning the country as a regional leader in technology and innovation.

Qatar is advancing its ambition to develop a digital economy grounded in knowledge and innovation through strategic investments in infrastructure, talent development, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, and governance frameworks, the country’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed al-Mannai stated. His remarks came during the opening of a session titled "Investing in AI for an Inclusive Digital Future," held as part of the 9th World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha from October 25 to 27. The event, themed “Investing in the Future,” was organized in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Minister al-Mannai highlighted Qatar’s alignment with the long-term objectives outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030. He said the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure and data centers worldwide has positioned AI as a central driver of global capital flows. The key challenge for governments, he added, is to translate these investments into sustainable national capacities and economic benefits that enhance citizens’ quality of life.

Qatar’s approach is built on four core pillars. The first involves investment in sovereign and scalable digital infrastructure. In this vein, the minister cited a recently announced $20 billion partnership between the Qatar Artificial Intelligence (Qai) initiative and Canadian investment firm Brookfield aimed at developing comprehensive AI infrastructure. This effort is expected to bolster high-performance computing capabilities in the Gulf region.

The second pillar focuses on human capital development, with Qatar targeting the creation of more than 50,000 training opportunities in digital fields and AI by 2030. The goal is to equip national talent with the skills required for an evolving digital economy.

The third pillar emphasizes accelerating technology adoption and entrepreneurship. This includes deploying AI use cases within government services and supporting both established companies and startups through a QR6 billion incentive program designed to stimulate innovation and enhance economic competitiveness.

Finally, the fourth pillar addresses the governance of AI technologies. Minister al-Mannai underscored the importance of building trust through responsible AI governance that respects human rights and ensures meaningful human oversight. Qatar has advocated for inclusive international AI frameworks during forums such as the United Nations’ Global Dialogue on AI Governance held in July. The country supports governance approaches that consider global linguistic and cultural diversity—particularly emphasizing the inclusion of the Arabic language—to promote equitable access to technology across diverse societies.

Through this multifaceted strategy, Qatar aims to position itself as a leader in the emerging digital landscape while fostering sustainable development and shared prosperity.

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