Communications Minister: AI Essential to Enhance Competitiveness and Improve Service Quality

Kuwait City, October 21 (KUNA) -- Kuwait’s Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Affairs and Acting Minister of Media and Culture, Omar Al-Omar, stressed on Wednesday that artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a technological luxury but a necessity to enhance competitiveness, improve service quality, and increase decision-making accuracy.

He made these remarks during his speech at the opening of the Gulf Digital Week, which brings together the International Forum on AI and Digitalization under the theme “Crisis Management, Innovation, and the Future of Institutions,” and the Gulf Conference on Archiving and Document and Records Management.

Al-Omar said that AI has become a reality reshaping economies, government work, and labor markets, emphasizing the importance of keeping pace with digital transformation and actively shaping its trajectory by adopting technology consciously, deploying it responsibly, and preparing the necessary infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and skilled human resources.

He noted that the ministry and its affiliated entities are working to integrate digital initiatives into a cohesive system serving citizens, residents, and the business sector.

He added that the Central Agency for Information Technology is leading national initiatives in this regard, most notably accelerating the transition to cloud computing and establishing a platform that connects government systems and unifies the management of application programming interfaces (APIs), thereby boosting service efficiency, enhancing information security, and supporting data exchange.

Al-Omar clarified that, according to the ministry’s vision, AI is a tool to empower humans rather than replace them, contributing to streamlining procedures, supporting decision-making, and opening new horizons for creativity and entrepreneurship among youth. He stressed that investment in this technology must be accompanied by parallel investments in qualifying Kuwaiti talent.

He pointed out that Kuwait has established strategic partnerships with major global technology companies, including Microsoft, to create an AI-enabled cloud zone and an innovation center, alongside programs to qualify thousands of national cadres. He emphasized the importance of these partnerships in transferring and localizing knowledge, as well as generating added value for the national economy.

Regarding document and records management, Al-Omar explained that what distinguishes this event is the convergence of AI with document and records management, given that documents represent the memory of institutions and the state, and reliable data form the foundation of intelligent systems.

He stated that the archive digitization project comes within this context, in collaboration with Iron Mountain, to facilitate access to information while preserving its security and confidentiality, support the shift toward a paperless government, and lay the groundwork for sound future decision-making. He added that the project positions archives as an effective pillar in supporting government operations and the digital transformation journey, expressing his hope that the sessions of the Gulf Digital Week, with the participation of a select group of experts from the Gulf region and around the world, will yield practical recommendations that enhance Gulf integration in digitalization and AI, and translate exchanged knowledge into tangible impact.

For his part, Dr. Khaled Al-Zamil, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Communications and Information Technology, emphasized in a speech the importance of leveraging AI technologies and digital transformation to develop services and improve institutional performance quality, particularly in the health sector, which holds a vast base of data and information.

Al-Zamil said that introducing AI into the work environment unlocks extensive potential for analyzing information, supporting employees, and improving planning, all of which positively reflect on the quality of services provided to beneficiaries.

He clarified that realizing the actual benefits of these technologies requires identifying the problems institutions seek to address and the targeted outcomes of using artificial intelligence, rather than merely adopting modern technologies without clear objectives. He noted that the health sector is among the key areas that can benefit from AI applications, given the volume and diversity of data available, which offer opportunities to improve services and support decision-making. He emphasized the importance of data quality and accuracy as fundamental pillars for the success of AI applications, alongside developing and training staff to effectively utilize modern technologies in performing their duties. He stressed the necessity of safeguarding information privacy, protecting data, and establishing appropriate regulatory frameworks and governance mechanisms. He highlighted the importance of leveraging digital transformation to enhance institutions’ capacity to manage crises, improve planning, and respond to challenges, as well as to exchange expertise and cooperate in developing technical applications. He affirmed that the success of this transformation depends on institutions’ ability to deploy technology in ways that improve services and boost operational efficiency.

For his part, the Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait, Kenichiro Mukai, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kuwait in the field of artificial intelligence and building a safe and reliable ecosystem for this technology, contributing to development and achieving a more prosperous future for both countries. Mukai stated that AI is driving widespread transformations in the economy and society, in addition to its role in healthcare, agriculture, education, and infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all countries benefit from these technologies. He explained that Japan adopts a balanced approach to AI development, focused on accelerating innovation, promoting social development, and mitigating risks through sound governance and the development of technical and regulatory infrastructure. He affirmed that cultivating specialized human capital in AI is a key element in building a sustainable ecosystem for this technology, expressing Japan’s hope to continue joint efforts with Kuwait in developing AI pathways that enhance development and prosperity.

The two-day forum witnessed broad participation from government entities, local, Gulf, and international institutions and companies specializing in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, archiving, and records management. Its activities included panel discussions featuring expert speakers addressing regional and international AI policies, as well as the latest technologies and digital solutions. The forum also featured an accompanying exhibition where participating entities showcased their latest technologies, services, and innovative solutions in the fields of digitalization and AI. Participating entities were honored in recognition of their contributions to the forum’s activities. (End) A.A.B / H.T.H / N.W.F