Tribune News Network
doha
The International Chamber of Commerce Qatar (ICC Qatar) collaborated with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to host the Qatar Digital Trust Roadshow 2024. The event, held on September 2, 2024, at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce premises, aimed to empower organisations with critical knowledge and strategies to tackle the evolving challenges of cybersecurity, privacy, and digital trust, with a special focus on artificial intelligence (AI).
The Qatar Digital Trust Roadshow brought together leading experts, including David Mudd, Global Head of Digital Trust Assurance at BSI, and Kursad Yuce, Operations Delivery Manager for the Middle East and Africa at BSI. They shared valuable insights into the latest trends, standards, and best practices in digital trust and AI management, emphasizing the importance of establishing robust frameworks to govern AI’s use and build digital trust.
Participants at the event included representatives from prominent organisations such as Qatar Stock Exchange, Ooredoo Qatar, Qatar National Convention Centre, and Qatar Financial Centre Authority, among others. The event’s objectives were to deepen understanding of ISO/IEC 27001 standards, address challenges in Quality Assurance (QA), explore NCSA-NIA Audit Services, and prepare organizations for integrating AI technologies.
David Mudd highlighted the importance of AI governance, stating, “The magnitude of ways AI can shape our future means we are seeing some degree of hesitation of the unknown. This can be addressed by ensuring we have frameworks that are in place to govern its use and build trust. Now is the moment for us to collaborate globally to balance the great power of this tool with the realities of actually using it in a credible, authentic, well-executed, and well-governed way.”
Kursad Yuce echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that as the AI transformation continues, building trust in technology, processes, and interactions is crucial. “Developing this trust has the potential to accelerate progress towards a sustainable world for individuals, organizations, and society,” he noted. Yuce stressed the critical need for a governance structure to ensure AI’s responsible deployment, especially in mitigating risks related to biased outcomes from AI algorithms.
An ICC Qatar spokesperson underscored the potential of AI as a transformative tool for businesses when implemented with a structured governance framework. “While AI has immense benefits, it relies on algorithms that can sometimes produce biased outcomes. This makes establishing a governance structure a critical step before fully embracing the technology,” the spokesperson stated.
Partnering with BSI was seen as a strategic move to equip the Qatari private sector with the necessary knowledge and resources to navigate the complexities of AI implementation. The collaboration aims to ensure that organizations, whether just beginning their AI journey or already advanced in their use of the technology, are well-prepared to harness AI’s benefits responsibly.
The event provided ample networking opportunities for attendees, fostering connections and collaborations among industry leaders and stakeholders. Participants engaged in discussions about best practices and innovative solutions, aligning with ICC Qatar’s commitment to promoting a secure and trustworthy digital environment.
Through ongoing initiatives like the ICC’s Digital Economy Commission, which includes experts in the rapidly evolving field of digital trust, ICC Qatar aims to further these conversations. The Roadshow’s focus on AI and digital trust governance is a testament to Qatar’s proactive approach in positioning itself at the forefront of digital transformation.
The Qatar Digital Trust Roadshow 2024 marks a pivotal step in shaping the country’s digital landscape, empowering businesses to embrace AI confidently and responsibly while contributing to sustainable economic growth.