Tribune News Network
Doha
The UK and Qatar have launched a joint Artificial Intelligence (AI) research commission, seeking to establish a roadmap for UK-Qatar collaboration on AI that will benefit both countries.
The joint study will be led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), in partnership with Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Qatar. The study is being led by Professor David Leslie, Professor of Ethics, Technology, and Society at Queen Mary University of London’s Digital Environment Research Institute, and the Director of Ethics and Responsible Innovation Research at the Alan Turing Institute.
The project will build on the exciting progress that both countries have made on AI, and identify and scope practical and ambitious ways for the countries to enhance their cooperation in this field in line with their AI and technology strategies. A range of areas will be explored across the spectrum of ecosystem development, policy and regulation, security, and international engagement.
It is being designed and developed as a collaboration 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 HH the Amir to the UK.
The project is funded by the UK Government’s Gulf Strategy Fund, part of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) International Programme.
British Ambassador to Qatar HE Neerav Patel 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 work together on the shared challenges the 21st century will bring.”
Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar Dr Mariam Khalid Al-Hamar said: “This initiative marks a key opportunity to advance innovation through collaboration. As a global leader in dialogue and mediation, Qatar recognizes 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. 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.”
Digital Innovation Director from Qatar’s MCIT Eman Alkuwari said: “This collaboration marks a significant step forward in Qatar’s commitment to advancing AI as a transformative force for good. By partnering with the UK and leveraging the expertise of world-renowned institutions, we aim to unlock new opportunities for innovation, shape ethical frameworks, and contribute to global progress in AI. This initiative reflects our shared vision to harness the power of technology for the benefit of our societies and economies.”
Professor David Leslie said: “We are undoubtedly at a pivotal juncture in the history of AI, so the time couldn’t be better to bring the UK and Qatar closer together to explore collaborative avenues for harnessing AI’s transformative potential to deliver public benefit, while diligently addressing emerging risks and harms. By leveraging the dynamic AI research and innovation ecosystems of both nations, this initiative promises to be a catalyst for ingenuity and commercial opportunity, fostering a new era of technological cooperation between two global leaders in the field.”
Secretary General of QRDI Omar Al Ansari said: “This initiative marks a key opportunity to advance innovation through strategic collaboration in AI. By leveraging Qatar and the UK’s significant investments in AI research, development & innovation, we are paving the way for funding transformative projects. This partnership will strengthen the ties between Qatar and the UK’s innovation ecosystems, fostering the exchange of expertise and driving impactful outcomes for both nations.”
Professor Colin Bailey, the President and Principal of the Queen Mary University of London, said: “We are proud and honoured to be embarking on this collaboration with Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar. Queen Mary University has a long history of building strong, successful international collaborations, and of being at the forefront of emerging research and technology. This new partnership will allow both universities to combine their collective knowledge and strengths to ensure AI technology is used in the best, safest way possible.”
