The UK and Qatar have launched a joint Artificial Intelligence research commission, seeking to establish a roadmap for UK-Qatar AI collaboration that will benefit both countries.
The project will build on the exciting technological progress that both countries have made and identify and scope practical and ambitious ways for the countries to enhance AI collaboration in line with their technology strategies.
Ecosystem development, policy and regulation, security, and international engagement will be explored in various ways.
The joint study will be led by Queen Mary University of London in partnership with Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Qatar.
Professor David Leslie, Professor of Ethics, Technology, and Society at Queen Mary University of London’s Digital Environment Research Institute and Director of Ethics and Responsible Innovation Research at the Alan Turing Institute, is leading the study.
Key AI policies in the UK and Qatar
Both the UK and Qatar have developed strategies and frameworks to govern the use of AI, focusing on promoting innovation, ensuring ethical use, and addressing societal impacts.
Some of these include:
- UK National AI Strategy: The UK’s National AI Strategy, published by the government in September 2021, aims to establish the UK as a global leader in AI innovation by 2030. The strategy focuses on fostering AI adoption in industries, developing talent, and ensuring the responsible use of AI.
- The AI and Data Governance Framework: The UK government has been developing a governance framework to manage AI’s impact on data usage, privacy, and fairness.
- Qatar National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: Qatar’s AI strategy, launched by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC), aims to position the country as a leader in AI adoption and innovation, leveraging AI to transform key sectors like healthcare, education, and transportation.
- Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and AI: AI is a key enabler of Qatar National Vision 2030, which focuses on sustainable development, economic diversification, and the development of human capital. AI is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing productivity across various sectors, such as education, energy, and healthcare.
Enhancing global collaboration
The project has been designed and developed as a collaboration on AI between Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the AI Committee of the Qatar Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MCIT), Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI), and the British Embassy in Doha.
The announcement of the collaboration coincides with the State Visit of the Amir of Qatar to the UK.
The project is funded by the UK Government’s Gulf Strategy Fund, part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) International Programme.
Neerav Patel, British Ambassador to Qatar, said: “The UK and Qatar have shown themselves to be innovators in the policy implementation of AI, including the need to build strong systems of ethics and governance.
“I’m delighted that such prestigious UK and Qatari institutions are involved in this important initiative. It reflects both countries’ desire to enhance AI collaboration and tackle the shared challenges it will bring.”
Dr Mariam Khalid Al-Hamar, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar, added: “As a global leader in dialogue and mediation, Qatar recognises the vital importance of collaboration in promoting diplomacy and resolving conflicts.
“By leveraging the transformative potential of AI, we have the opportunity to make meaningful progress in peacebuilding, improve decision-making processes, and tackle complex global issues with greater accuracy.”
She continued: “Furthermore, embracing the idea of ‘AI for All’ ensures that the benefits of this technology reach every nation, empowering them to actively engage in the AI era.
“This vision reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and ensuring that technology serves as a tool for justice and progress for all.”
