Al-Omar on Fears of Internet Cable Cuts: We Don't Want to Assume the Worst... But We Are Always Prepared

- Satellites have not yet reached a stage where they can serve as a substitute for undersea or terrestrial cables.

- Providing digital services under current circumstances is an advantage, and it has been tested in previous events.

- We are in a very crucial development phase, with a focus on overall integration and the integration and linking of government data.

- Digitizing government archives and achieving a paperless government are among the most important major projects.

- Investment in artificial intelligence must be accompanied by parallel investment in qualifying Kuwaiti talents.

Amid concerns that internet cables could be affected by developments in the regional situation, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Acting Minister of Media and Culture Omar Al-Omar affirmed that Kuwait continuously monitors this file and prepares for any contingency without assuming the worst-case scenario, noting that any potential repercussions would not be limited to Kuwait but would affect the region as a whole.

Responding to a question about the possibility of internet cable cuts, Minister Al-Omar said, “We are always monitoring this issue. Ultimately, it affects the region as a whole, not Kuwait specifically. There are always alternatives, God willing. God protects us and our homeland. We do not want to assume the worst, but we are always prepared.”

Regarding some countries’ reliance on satellites as alternatives to cables, Al-Omar stated that “satellites cannot replace undersea or terrestrial cables; we have not yet reached that stage. However, they can be used to a limited extent (for personal use), but not as a full substitute. Moreover, we have not yet reached a point where satellites provide the same capacity as cables.”

This statement came during a press interview with Minister Al-Omar on the sidelines of the opening of the Gulf Digitalization 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, Document, and Records Management.

The minister said, “Digital transformation is a necessity regardless of circumstances, even in the absence of specific events, and we are proceeding with our plans.” He added that “providing digital services under current circumstances is an advantage, and it has been tested in previous events.”

He further noted that government entities now provide most of their services digitally, and the direction we are heading is toward greater integration. He mentioned initiatives such as the “Newborn Journey” and “Home Document,” among other upcoming journeys, to be implemented in the near future.

In response to another question from Al-Rai regarding coordination with the Ministry of Education on the “TIMS” issue, Al-Omar affirmed that each ministry is responsible for its own services, but there is no doubt that the Ministry of Communications is responsible for infrastructure and ensuring that communication methods are available and meet the required quality standards, whether for the Ministry of Education or other entities.

He added, “Kuwait is in a very important development phase, with a focus on overall integration, and the integration and linking of government data to derive actual benefits from these technologies, including artificial intelligence. This also includes converting archives into digital documents, which is one of the major projects in the coming period, involving the digitization of government archives and achieving a paperless government.”

In a speech delivered during the opening of the events, Al-Omar emphasized that “artificial intelligence is no longer a technological luxury but has become a necessity to enhance competitiveness, improve service quality, and enhance decision-making accuracy.”

He pointed out that AI has become a reality reshaping economies, government work, and labor markets, stressing 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 talents.

He noted that the ministry and its affiliated entities are working to integrate digital initiatives within a comprehensive system that serves citizens, residents, and the business sector. He pointed out that the Central Agency for Information Technology is leading national initiatives in this regard, the most prominent of which are 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 stated that, according to the ministry’s vision, artificial intelligence is a tool to empower humans, not a replacement for them. It contributes to simplifying procedures, supporting decision-making, and opening avenues for creativity and entrepreneurship for young people. He emphasized that “investment in this technology must be accompanied by parallel investment in qualifying Kuwaiti talents.”

He indicated that the State of Kuwait has entered into strategic partnerships with major global technology companies, including Microsoft, to establish an AI-powered cloud zone and an innovation center, alongside programs to qualify thousands of national cadres. He stressed 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 clarified that “what distinguishes this event is the integration of artificial intelligence 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 said that “the archive digitization project comes within this context, in collaboration with Iron Mountain, aiming 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.”

Al-Omar explained that the project positions the archive as an effective pillar in serving government operations and the digital transformation journey. He expressed his hope that the sessions of the Gulf Digital Week, with the participation of a select group of experts from the Gulf and around the world, would yield practical recommendations that enhance Gulf integration in the fields of digitalization and artificial intelligence, and transform exchanged knowledge into tangible impact.

The Japanese Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Kenichiro Mukai, affirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kuwait in the fields of artificial intelligence and building a secure and reliable system for this technology, contributing to supporting development and achieving a more prosperous future for both countries.

Mukai stated that “artificial intelligence 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 clarified that Japan adopts a balanced approach to developing artificial intelligence, focused on accelerating innovation, enhancing social development, and mitigating risks, through good governance and the development of technical and regulatory infrastructure.

Mukai affirmed that “developing specialized human competencies in artificial intelligence represents a fundamental element in building a sustainable system for this technology,” expressing Japan’s hope to continue joint efforts with Kuwait in developing AI pathways that enhance development and prosperity.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Khaled Al-Zamil, emphasized 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 large base of data and information.

In his remarks, Al-Zamil stated that integrating artificial intelligence into the workplace environment unlocks vast potential for analyzing information, supporting employees, and enhancing planning, thereby positively impacting 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 artificial intelligence applications, given the volume and diversity of data available, which offer opportunities to improve services and support decision-making.

He also emphasized the importance of leveraging digital transformation to strengthen institutions’ capacity to manage crises, enhance planning, and respond to challenges, alongside exchanging expertise and collaborating on the development of technical applications.