Qatar’s government has signed a five-year deal with AI data company Scale AI to deploy AI-powered tools and training. The agreement aims to enhance government services in the Gulf Arab state, a senior Scale AI executive said on Sunday.
Trevor Thompson, the global head of growth at the San Francisco-based company, said the deal could be a template for other governments worldwide and allow for a greater commitment that hastens its effect.Â
The Qatari Communications and Information Technology Ministry said in a statement that the deal will allow the Government to deploy tools such as predictive analytics, automation, and advanced data analysis to improve operational efficiency.
The statement added that Scale AI will produce more than 50 potential artificial intelligence applications (AI) for Qatar’s Government in the coming five years. However, Thompson refused to disclose the deal’s value.Â
Qatari companies see an opportunity to leverage the country’s foothold as a rich natural gas producer and a longtime U.S. ally to position themselves as a power player in AI amid growing competition from its neighbors, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates.Â
Founded in 2016, Scale AI supplies massive amounts of accurately labeled data to train tools, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The firm also assists its customers—including technology behemoth Microsoft, Wall Street bank Morgan Stanley, and AI companies like OpenAI and Cohere—in creating and honing data sets.
Scale AI strengthens its presence in Qatar to drive AI transformation
Scale AI has been actively strengthening its presence in Qatar by engaging with government officials and participating in key industry events. The company has positioned itself as a strategic partner in Qatar’s AI-driven transformation, supporting the country’s vision of integrating artificial intelligence into various sectors.
Last month, Trevor Thompson, Global Head of Growth for Scale AI, visited Doha, where he discussed AI-powered solutions with high-ranking government officials, including the governor of Qatar Central Bank.Â
These meetings underscored Scale AI’s commitment to fostering collaboration with Qatari institutions and helping the government leverage AI-powered solutions to enhance governance, economic growth, and public services.
As part of its ongoing efforts, Scale AI is also sponsoring this week’s Web Summit Qatar, one of the region’s leading technology conferences.
Qatar integrates AI into national development with a vision for 2030
Through the Qatar National AI Strategy and the Artificial Intelligence Committee, Qatar has introduced AI into the fabric of its national development, all while ensuring that AI adoption harmonizes with its ethical and cultural values and the Qatar National Vision 2030.Â
The framework stresses priority sectors—data access (creating a unified database), human resource (HR) development (R&D capacity building), R&D, ethical considerations in AI, etc., and creating infrastructure with a strong emphasis on ethics, as required by UNESCO.Â
With this ever-growing ecosystem, AI applications are affecting many sectors, including healthcare, education, transportation, and sports. Qatar’s legal framework for AI, which covers data protection and intellectual property laws, is still developing.
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