The UK and Qatar launch joint Artificial Intelligence (AI)
research commission.
The UK and Qatar have launched a joint Artificial Intelligence
(AI) research
commission, seeking to establish a roadmap for UK-Qatar
collaboration on AIthat will benefit both
countries.
The joint study will be led by Queen Mary University of London,
in partnership with Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Qatar.
The study is being led by Professor David Leslie, Professor of
Ethics, Technology, and Society at Queen Mary University of
London's Digital Environment Research Institute, and the Director
of Ethics and Responsible Innovation Research at the Alan Turing
Institute.
The project will build on the exciting progress that both
countries have made on AI, and identify and scope
practical and ambitious ways for the countries to enhance their
cooperation in this field in line with their AI and technology strategies. A
range of areas will be explored across the spectrum of ecosystem
development, policy and regulation, security, and international
engagement.
It has been designed and developed as a collaboration between
Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the AI Committee of the Qatar
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MCIT),
Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI), and
the British Embassy in Doha.
The announcement of the collaboration coincides with the State
Visit of the Amir of Qatar to the UK.
The project is funded by the UK Government's Gulf Strategy Fund,
part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO)
International Programme.
Neerav Patel, British Ambassador to Qatar, said:
The UK and Qatar have shown themselves to be innovators in the
policy implementation of AI, including the need to build
strong systems of ethics and governance. I'm delighted that such
prestigious UK and Qatari institutions are involved in this
important initiative. It reflects both countries' desire to work
together on the shared challenges the 21st century will bring.
Dr. Mariam Khalid Al-Hamar, Minister Plenipotentiary at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar, said:
This initiative marks a key opportunity to advance innovation
through collaboration. As a global leader in dialogue and
mediation, Qatar recognizes the vital importance of collaboration
in promoting diplomacy and resolving conflicts. By leveraging the
transformative potential of AI, we have the opportunity to
make meaningful progress in peacebuilding, improve
decision-making processes, and tackle complex global issues with
greater accuracy. Furthermore, embracing the idea of
‘AI for All' ensures
that the benefits of this technology reach every nation,
empowering them to actively engage in the AI era. This vision reflects our
unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and ensuring
that technology serves as a tool for justice and progress for
all.
Eman Alkuwari, Digital Innovation Director from Qatar's MCIT,
said:
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in Qatar's
commitment to advancing AI as a transformative force for
good. By partnering with the UK and leveraging the expertise of
world-renowned institutions, we aim to unlock new opportunities
for innovation, shape ethical frameworks, and contribute to
global progress in AI. This initiative reflects our
shared vision to harness the power of technology for the benefit
of our societies and economies.
Professor David Leslie said:
We are undoubtedly at a pivotal juncture in the history of
AI, so the time
couldn't be better to bring the UK and Qatar closer together to
explore collaborative avenues for harnessing AI's transformative potential to
deliver public benefit, while diligently addressing emerging
risks and harms. By leveraging the dynamic AI research and innovation
ecosystems of both nations, this initiative promises to be a
catalyst for ingenuity and commercial opportunity, fostering a
new era of technological cooperation between two global leaders
in the field.
Mr. Omar Al Ansari, Secretary General of QRDI, said:
This initiative marks a key opportunity to advance innovation
through strategic collaboration in AI. By leveraging Qatar and the
UK's significant investments in AI research, development &
innovation, we are paving the way for funding transformative
projects. This partnership will strengthen the ties between Qatar
and the UK's innovation ecosystems, fostering the exchange of
expertise and driving impactful outcomes for both nations.
Professor Colin Bailey, the President and Principal of Queen Mary
University of London, said:
We are proud and honoured to be embarking on this collaboration
with Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar. Queen Mary University
has a long history of building strong, successful international
collaborations, and of being at the forefront of emerging
research and technology. This new partnership will allow both
universities to combine their collective knowledge and strengths
to ensure AI
technology is used in the best, safest way possible.
