by Omar Habeeb Abdul Razzaq
In a world where technological development accelerates at an amazing pace, where artificial intelligence reshapes every aspect of human life, Iraq finds itself facing an existential question: are we part of this global transformation, or are we standing on the platform watching the future train pass by without being able to catch up?
The honest and painful answer is that we’re not sufficiently prepared for this radical transformation. According to the 2024 Government AI Readiness Index, Iraq ranks 107th globally, a ranking that places us among the least prepared countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. This number isn’t just a statistic, but an alarm bell ringing loudly to remind us that time is running out, and delay in catching up with technological development could cost us the future of our coming generations.
As an Iraqi politician and social activist who supports youth causes and believes in the importance of technological advancement, I’ve learned through my experience working with young people that the first challenge Iraq faces in artificial intelligence is the absence of a clear national vision. While regional countries set ambitious AI strategies and allocate billions of dollars to develop this sector, Iraq still lacks a comprehensive and integrated strategy.
This absence of strategic vision means our limited efforts in this field remain scattered and uncoordinated, reducing their effectiveness and impact. The second challenge lies in weak digital infrastructure. Artificial intelligence requires advanced digital infrastructure including fast and reliable internet networks, advanced data centers, and cloud computing systems.
Despite notable progress in digital payments, which saw an increase from 2.6 trillion dinars to 7.6 trillion dinars within one year, this progress remains limited compared to what’s required to support advanced AI applications.
The third challenge, and perhaps most important, is the lack of specialized personnel. Artificial intelligence requires advanced expertise in computer science, mathematics, statistics, and data science. These specializations need long-term investment in education and training, which we haven’t started seriously enough. Iraqi universities, despite their rich history, need radical updating in their curricula and programs to meet digital age requirements.
But challenges don’t mean surrender. Iraq has real foundations that can be built upon to develop the AI sector. We have a rich history in mathematics and sciences, smart and enthusiastic youth eager to learn, and financial resources that can be directed toward technology investment. What we need is political will and strategic vision to transform these foundations into tangible reality.
The first step must be establishing a comprehensive national AI strategy. This strategy must define priorities, objectives, and required resources, and set a clear timeline for implementation. The strategy must include all sectors, from education and health to agriculture, industry, and government services.
Education must be at the heart of this strategy. We need to redesign educational curricula to include computer science, programming, and artificial intelligence from early stages. We must invest in teacher training and developing their capabilities in these fields. Universities need specialized programs in AI and data science, and partnerships with advanced global universities in this field.
The private sector must be a fundamental partner in this transformation. Government alone cannot bear the burden of developing the AI sector. We need an attractive investment environment that encourages local and foreign companies to invest in this field. This requires supportive laws and legislation, tax incentives, and administrative facilities.
International partnerships are also necessary. Iraq can benefit from advanced countries’ expertise in AI through technical cooperation agreements and experience exchange programs. UNESCO, for example, recently organized training courses in Iraq on AI ethics, and this is a model that can be expanded and developed.
Practical applications of AI in Iraq can start from sectors that desperately need them. In healthcare, AI can be used to improve medical diagnosis and hospital management. In education, it can be used to develop adaptive learning systems and personalized education. In agriculture, it can be used to improve productivity and crop monitoring.
Digital government represents a promising field for AI application. These technologies can be used to improve government services, simplify procedures, and increase transparency. AI systems can help fight corruption by analyzing data and detecting suspicious patterns.
Cybersecurity must be a basic consideration in any AI strategy. These technologies open new horizons for cyber threats, and we need to develop our capabilities in this field to protect our data and vital systems.
Ethics and laws are another important aspect. AI raises complex ethical and legal issues related to privacy, human rights, and social justice. We need a clear legal and ethical framework that regulates the use of these technologies and ensures their use serves humanity, not against it.
Funding remains the biggest challenge. Developing the AI sector requires massive investments in research, development, education, and infrastructure. Relying solely on oil revenues may not be sufficient, and we need diverse funding sources including private investment, international financing, and strategic partnerships.
Time is a decisive factor in this race. Every day we delay catching up with technological development increases the difficulty of the task and reduces chances of success. Countries that started early in AI investment are now reaping the fruits of their investments, while late countries find themselves in a more difficult position.
But delay doesn’t mean impossibility. History is full of examples of countries that managed to catch up with development despite late starts. South Korea, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates are all examples of countries that achieved amazing technological leaps in relatively short periods.
Iraq stands today at a crossroads. We can choose the path of digital transformation and AI investment, or we can continue delaying and procrastinating until catching up becomes more difficult and costly. The first choice requires political courage, strategic vision, and massive investment, but it guarantees us a place in the future world. The second choice is easier in the short term, but condemns us to marginalization and backwardness in the long term.
Iraqi youth, who make up 60% of the population, are our real hope in this transformation. These young people grew up in the age of internet and smartphones, and they’re more ready to adopt new technologies than previous generations. But they need support, guidance, and opportunities to develop their capabilities in AI.
Investment in artificial intelligence isn’t just investment in technology, but investment in Iraq’s future and its coming generations. It’s investment in our ability to compete in the global economy, in our ability to solve our local problems, and in our ability to build a more just and prosperous society. The question isn’t whether Iraq will enter the AI age, but when and how. The sooner we make the right decisions and start implementation, the better our chances of catching up and achieving success. The train hasn’t left yet, but time is running out quickly, and there’s no room for more hesitation or delay.