The UK and Qatar have announced the launch of a joint Artificial Intelligence (AI) research commission, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relationship. The initiative, led by Queen Mary University of London and Qatar’s Hamad bin Khalifa University, aims to create a roadmap for collaboration on AI to benefit both nations.
This groundbreaking project, unveiled during the State Visit of the Amir of Qatar to the UK, is funded by the UK Government’s Gulf Strategy Fund, part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s International Programme. The collaboration underscores the two countries’ commitment to leveraging AI for societal and economic advancement while addressing ethical and governance challenges.
The joint study will explore various facets of AI, including ecosystem development, policy and regulation, security, and international engagement. It will build on the progress made by both countries in AI and identify practical ways to enhance cooperation in line with their respective technology strategies.
Professor David Leslie of Queen Mary University of London and the Alan Turing Institute will lead the study. “We are undoubtedly at a pivotal juncture in the history of AI,” he said, highlighting the opportunity to harness AI’s transformative potential for public benefit while addressing emerging risks. “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.”
Neerav Patel, the British Ambassador to Qatar, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “The UK and Qatar have shown themselves to be innovators in AI policy implementation, particularly in ethics and governance. This partnership reflects our shared desire to tackle the challenges of the 21st century together.”
Qatar’s commitment to ethical AI was echoed by Dr. Mariam Khalid Al-Hamar, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar. She underscored Qatar’s leadership in promoting diplomacy and conflict resolution, stating, “By leveraging the transformative potential of AI, we can advance peacebuilding, improve decision-making, and tackle global issues with greater accuracy.”
The collaboration has been developed with input from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the AI Committee of the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council (QRDI), and the British Embassy in Doha.
Omar Al Ansari, Secretary General of QRDI, highlighted the initiative’s potential to foster impactful outcomes. “By leveraging Qatar and the UK’s significant investments in AI research and innovation, we are paving the way for transformative projects and strengthening ties between our innovation ecosystems.”
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