Iraq to set up AI data center to support Arab countries
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq is working to establish an artificial intelligence center in Baghdad as part of a project serving Arab countries.
The Prime Minister's Advisor for Artificial Intelligence Affairs, Diaa Al-Jumaili, revealed on Tuesday that the technical and organizational steps have already started and that a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, will be held soon to finalize all of the discussions, as Iraq will be required to lay the groundwork for the center, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The step follows the approval of the Iraqi Prime Minister and Arab leaders during the Arab Summit held recently in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, according to Al-Jumaili.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) previously said that Iraq's digital transformation is critical to the country's digital business and artificial intelligence strategy.
During his meeting last November with Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Al-Sudani stressed that the government has included digital transformation into its economic and administrative reforms, as well as electronic payments.
Al-Sudani emphasized the government's potential to make a big change in this area, as well as its willingness to collaborate with the DCO on initiatives that benefit Iraq and the region in the context of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
In March, Ali Al-Alaq, governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), disclosed that the government is working on a comprehensive digital transformation strategy.
In a statement to INA, Al-Alaq highlighted that the government is following a plan aimed at transitioning to digital governance. He stated that Iraqi ministries would take a leading role since steps have already been taken, initiatives have been implemented, and a data center has been constructed.
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