Building Human Systems: How QAI is Building AI Infrastructure Systems Nationally and Globally

QAI: Powering Qatar’s AI Future and Global Innovation with a Human-Centric Approach

QAI, pronounced “Kai,” is Qatar’s national AI initiative, launched two months ago after six to seven months in stealth mode. His Excellency Abdullah Hamad Al Misnad, Chairman & Managing Director at QAI, explained its focus on building crucial AI infrastructure. Wholly owned by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), QAI serves as its operating arm, delivering AI systems globally. Qatar began its AI journey early, active since 2018-2019, leading to QAI’s launch to address deployment challenges and scale AI effectively across government and private sectors.

His Excellency Al Misnad outlined QAI’s two main components: specialized AI infrastructure and a comprehensive operating system. This system is founded on three core principles, the “Triple S”: Security, Safety, and Society. These pillars guide QAI’s efforts for responsible and effective AI integration. Security focuses on robust cybersecurity for AI systems, while Safety ensures AI performs as intended, fostering trust for enterprises, users, and governments by navigating technical, compliance, and regulatory complexities to guarantee reliable AI models.

The “Society” principle examines AI’s impact on people, including youth development, education, and mental health. QAI collaborates with Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s QCRI program to research these societal implications, aiming to ensure AI contributes positively to future generations and human well-being. Cultural context is paramount for AI deployment, encompassing corporate compliance, regulations, and societal norms. His Excellency Al Misnad cited an AI chatbot for diabetes management during Ramadan, illustrating how cultural nuances are vital for effective behavioral change.

This cultural understanding is crucial for Qatar’s multinational corporations, like Qatar Airways and Ooredoo, serving diverse populations globally. Deploying AI successfully across their operations requires integrating varied cultural and jurisdictional contexts into AI systems, ensuring broad applicability and user engagement. QAI plays a pivotal role in Qatar’s AI ecosystem, bridging national AI aspirations with practical deployment. It supports local innovation through initiatives like a compute credit fund with Startup Qatar for Doha-based startups.

QAI also develops an AI innovation program with QRDI and collaborates with Hamad Bin Khalifa University on assurance and regulatory alignment. QAI distinguishes itself by focusing on solving real-world problems and filling gaps in existing AI solutions, prioritizing usefulness. This pragmatic approach has led to significant international collaborations, including a partnership with Brookfield to collectively develop global AI infrastructure, demonstrating QAI’s commitment to impactful solutions.

Recognizing that deployment hurdles are normal globally, QAI is dedicated to learning and developing adaptive solutions. The organization actively seeks international, multilateral collaborations on the “Triple S” principles to address complex issues and maximize AI’s beneficial impact worldwide.