Al-Omar: AI Has Become a Reality Reshaping Economies, Government Work, and Labor Markets

This came during Minister Al-Omar’s speech at the opening of the Gulf Digital Week events, which bring 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 Document and Records Management.

Al-Omar stated that artificial intelligence has become a reality reshaping economies, government work, and labor markets, emphasizing the importance of keeping pace with digital transformation and participating in shaping its path by adopting technology consciously, utilizing it responsibly, and preparing the necessary infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and competencies.

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

He clarified that, according to the ministry’s vision, artificial intelligence is a tool to empower humans, not a replacement for them, as it contributes to simplifying procedures, supporting decision-making, and opening horizons for creativity and entrepreneurship among youth. He pointed out that investment in this technology must be accompanied by parallel investment in qualifying Kuwaiti competencies.

He indicated that the State of Kuwait has established strategic partnerships with major global technology companies, including Microsoft, to create an AI-supported 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 achieving added value for the national economy.

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

He said that the digitization of archives project comes within this context, in cooperation 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 sound future decision-making.

He added that the project makes archives an effective pillar in serving government work 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 and the world, will yield practical recommendations that enhance Gulf integration in the fields of digitalization and artificial intelligence, and transform 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 his speech the importance of utilizing artificial intelligence and digital transformation technologies in developing services and improving institutional performance quality, particularly in the health sector, which possesses a large base of data and information.

He clarified that achieving actual benefit from 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 important fields that can benefit from artificial intelligence applications due to the volume and diversity of available data, which offer opportunities to improve services and support decision-making.

He stressed the importance of data quality and accuracy as fundamental pillars for the success of artificial intelligence applications, alongside developing and qualifying workers to interact with modern technologies and utilize them in performing their duties, emphasizing the necessity of respecting information privacy, protecting data, and establishing the required regulatory frameworks and governance mechanisms.

He emphasized the importance of leveraging digital transformation to enhance institutions’ capacity to manage crises, improve planning, and respond to challenges, alongside exchanging expertise and cooperating in the development of technical applications. He stressed that the success of this transformation depends on institutions’ ability to harness technology in ways that improve services and boost operational efficiency.

For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait Kenichiro Mukaiya affirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kuwait in the fields of artificial intelligence and building a secure and reliable framework for this technology, thereby supporting development and achieving a more prosperous future for both countries.

Mukaiya said that artificial intelligence is driving wide-ranging transformations in the economy and society, in addition to its role in healthcare, agriculture, education, and infrastructure, underscoring the importance of ensuring that all countries benefit from these technologies.

He clarified that Japan adopts a balanced approach to developing artificial intelligence, focused on accelerating innovation, promoting social development, and mitigating risks through sound governance, as well as developing technical and regulatory infrastructure.

He stressed that cultivating specialized human capital in artificial intelligence is a fundamental element in building a sustainable ecosystem for this technology, expressing Japan’s aspiration to continue joint efforts with Kuwait in advancing 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 technologies and digital solutions.