Communications Minister: AI No Longer a Tech Luxury but a Necessity to Boost Competitiveness

State Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Information and Culture, Omar Al-Omar, confirmed on Wednesday that artificial intelligence is no longer a technological luxury but a necessity to enhance competitiveness, improve the quality of services, and increase the accuracy of decision-making. This statement was made by Minister Al-Omar during his speech at the opening of the Gulf Digital Week, which brings together the International Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization under the theme “Crisis Management, Innovation, and the Future of Institutions,” and the Gulf Conference on Archiving and Records Management.

Al-Omar stated that artificial intelligence has become a reality reshaping economies, government operations, and labor markets, emphasizing the importance of keeping pace with digital transformation and participating in 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 within a cohesive system serving citizens, residents, and the business sector.

He mentioned 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 enhancing service efficiency, strengthening information security, and supporting data exchange.

Al-Omar clarified that, according to the ministry’s vision, artificial intelligence is a tool for empowering humans, with no alternative, as it contributes to simplifying procedures, supporting decision-making, and opening avenues 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 the State of Kuwait has established strategic partnerships with major global technology companies, including Microsoft, to create an AI-enabled cloud region 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 adding value to the national economy.

Regarding records and archives management, Al-Omar explained that what distinguishes this event is the convergence of artificial intelligence with records and archives 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 digitization of archives project comes within this context, in collaboration with Iron Mountain, to facilitate access to information while preserving its security and confidentiality, supporting the shift toward a paperless government, and laying the groundwork for informed decision-making in the future. He added that the project positions archives as an effective pillar in serving government operations and advancing digital transformation, 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 the world, will yield practical recommendations that enhance Gulf integration in the fields of digitalization and artificial intelligence, and transform shared 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 his speech the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence technologies and digital transformation in developing services and improving institutional performance quality, particularly in the health sector, which possesses a vast base of data and information.

Al-Zamil said that introducing artificial intelligence into the work environment offers extensive capabilities for analyzing information, supporting employees, and enhancing planning, which positively reflects 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 handle and utilize modern technologies in performing their duties. He stressed the necessity of respecting information privacy, protecting data, and establishing the required 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 contribute to service improvement and performance efficiency.

For his part, the Japanese Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Kenichiro Mukai, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kuwait in the field of artificial intelligence and building a secure and reliable system for this technology, thereby supporting development and achieving a more prosperous future for both countries. Mukai stated that artificial intelligence is driving wide-ranging transformations in the economy and society, in addition to its role in healthcare, agriculture, education, and infrastructure. He emphasized 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, enhancing social development, and mitigating risks through agile governance, as well as developing technical and regulatory infrastructure. He affirmed that developing specialized human capital in artificial intelligence is a key element in building a sustainable ecosystem for this technology, expressing Japan’s aspiration to continue joint efforts with Kuwait in developing AI pathways to 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 document and records management. Its activities included panel discussions featuring expert specialists addressing regional and international AI policies, as well as the latest digital technologies and solutions. The forum also featured a parallel exhibition where participating entities showcased their latest technologies, services, and innovative solutions in digitalization and artificial intelligence. Participating entities were honored in recognition of their contributions to the forum’s activities.