Opening of the Gulf Week for Digitalization events: 'Crisis Management, Innovation, and the Future of Institutions'

- Minister of Communications: Artificial intelligence has become a necessity to enhance competitiveness and improve services - Al-Zamil: Integrating artificial intelligence into the work environment unlocks vast potential for information analysis, supporting employees, and improving planning - Japanese Ambassador: Developing specialized human competencies in artificial intelligence is a fundamental element in building a sustainable ecosystem for this technology.

Yesterday, the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Affairs and Acting Minister of Media and Culture, Omar Al-Omar, stated that artificial intelligence is no longer a technological luxury but has become a necessity to enhance competitiveness, elevate service quality, and improve decision-making accuracy.

This statement was made by Minister Al-Omar during 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 said 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 the 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 mentioned 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.

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 avenues for creativity and entrepreneurship for 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 zone and an innovation center, alongside programs to qualify thousands of national cadres. He affirmed 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 clarified 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 the archive project comes within this context, in collaboration with Iron Mountain, to facilitate access to information while maintaining its security and confidentiality, supporting the shift toward a paperless government, and laying the groundwork for making sound decisions in the future.

He added that the project makes the archive 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 the importance of utilizing 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.

Al-Zamil said that integrating artificial intelligence into the work environment enables

There are vast potentialities for analyzing information, supporting staff, and improving planning, which will 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 pointed out that the health sector is among the important fields that can benefit from AI applications, given the volume and diversity of available data and the opportunities it offers 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 employees to interact with modern technologies and utilize them in performing their tasks. 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 is linked to institutions’ ability to deploy technology in ways that contribute to improving services and raising performance efficiency.

For his part, the Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait, Kenichiro Mukai, affirmed his country’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Kuwait in the field of artificial intelligence and building a safe and reliable ecosystem for this technology, which would contribute 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 explained that Japan adopts a balanced approach to AI development, which involves accelerating innovation, promoting social development, and mitigating risks through good governance, as well as developing technical and regulatory infrastructure. He affirmed that developing specialized human capital in AI constitutes a fundamental element in building a sustainable ecosystem for this technology, expressing Japan’s aspiration 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 document and records management. Its activities included panel discussions featuring specialized experts who addressed regional and international AI policies, the latest technologies, and digital solutions. The forum also included 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.