Qatar Investing In AI Education, Workforce Development

Doha, Qatar: Qatar's Digital Agenda 2030 aims to make the country a global tech hub. Investments in Microsoft Azure, google Cloud, and 5G have made Qatar a leader in digital infrastructure.

AI, blockchain, and fintech are driving change in healthcare, energy, and finance, with strong government and private sector collaboration. At the same time, Qatar is investing in AI education and workforce development, preparing for a highly skilled labour force, noted Vahe Torossian,

President, Chief Partner Officer and Chief Revenue Officer, Builder in an interview with The Peninsula.

He highlighted how digital innovation is driving growth and opportunities in the field of AI and emerging technologies in Qatar and the GCC region.

Torossian said, AI is transforming businesses, industries, and economies, especially in the GCC region, where governments see it as the future. Qatar is leading with a $2.5bn investment in AI and data analytics, expected to generate $11bn by 2030. A recent Invest Qatar and Accenture report predicts this push could create 26,000 jobs and place Qatar among the top 10 digital economies.

Qatar is competing at the highest levels. It ranks among the region's top AI-ready nations by the Oxford Insights AI Readiness Index 2024, and stands alongside the UAE and Saudi Arabia as a leader in innovation. Institutions like Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), Qatar University, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) are shaping an AI-driven future, not just keeping pace with it, he said.

AI is fuelling growth across the region. A PwC report estimated that the Middle East is expected to accrue two percent of the total global benefits of AI in 2030, equivalent to $320bn. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are advancing in cybersecurity, smart cities, and automation, creating new opportunities for startups and businesses.

He further explained that Builder is growing fast, and“we are expanding to help more businesses bring their ideas to life. As companies go digital, we're making software development easier, faster, and more affordable. Our focus is on key markets like the Middle East, North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, where we're building strong partnerships,” Torossian noted.

“We are also making our AI-powered platform even simpler to use. Natasha AI, our smart product manager, helps businesses of all sizes create apps without needing technical skills. AI-driven automation cuts cost, speeds up development, and removes the usual roadblocks, particularly for startups looking to grow fast,” he added.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs are a big part of our mission.“We are working closely with startup incubators and innovation hubs, especially in Qatar and the GCC, to give more people access to no-code and low-code tools. That way, anyone with an idea can turn it into a real digital product.”

He added,“At Builder, we are not just building software, we are making it easier for businesses to succeed in a digital world. AI is changing how apps are built, and we're here to make sure it's simple, affordable, and accessible to everyone.”

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