Iran Rises in 2024: Enhanced Government AI Readiness Boosts Global Ranking
According to the latest report by the Oxford Insights index measuring government readiness for implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in public services, Iran has made significant strides, moving up three positions to rank 91st among 188 countries. This improvement underscores the critical role AI plays in enhancing governance and improving governmental efficiency.
The Government AI Readiness Index serves as a reliable resource for policymakers worldwide and has been adopted as an official benchmark by various national governments. This year’s report evaluates the AI readiness of 188 countries amid increasing complexity, where governments face evolving citizen needs alongside challenges such as economic uncertainty, climate risks, and growing inequalities.
The 2024 index assesses 40 indicators across three core pillars: Government, Technology Sector, and Data & Infrastructure. It aims to highlight advancements, identify gaps, and provide actionable insights for policymakers striving to integrate AI into public service delivery. Central to the index is the question: “How ready are governments to implement AI in the delivery of public services?” By addressing this inquiry, the index seeks to offer a practical tool for supporting evidence-based decision-making, enabling policymakers to unlock AI’s potential for better serving citizens globally.
According to the findings, Iran’s best performance is in the Data and Infrastructure pillar, where it achieved a score of 66.29, an improvement from 55.88 in 2023. This includes the following indicators:
- Infrastructure: 70
- Data Availability: 43
- Data Representativeness: 121
Conversely, Iran’s score in the Technology pillar stands at 38.82, a slight increase from 38.77 in 2023, covering:
- Human Capital: 54
- Innovation Capacity: 62
- Maturity: 82
However, the country recorded its lowest score in the Government pillar at 26.54, which reflects a decrease from 31.56 in 2023. This pillar includes:
- Vision: 84
- Governance and Ethics: 145
- Digital Capacity: 92
- Adaptability: 177
Notably, Iran’s regional ranking has improved by one position, moving from 17th in 2023 to 16th in 2024.
The top ten countries leading in AI readiness include:
- United States
- Singapore
- South Korea
- France
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Finland
- Australia
In an exciting development, Iran is set to establish its first artificial intelligence (AI) park in Tehran within the next two years. This initiative was announced by an official from the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy. According to Mojtaba Alizadeh, the primary goal of the AI park is to showcase the country’s technological advancements and provide practical AI-related services to the public.
The services offered will encompass a variety of fields, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and demonstrations of Iran’s national AI platform, as mentioned by Alizadeh. He also indicated that part of the AI processing infrastructure would be located within the national AI park, allowing both individuals and researchers to access the necessary resources for their studies.
Currently, collaboration between government bodies, major corporations, and various companies is underway to develop the AI park. This initiative signifies a step forward in Iran’s commitment to embracing AI technologies and enhancing public service delivery.
In conclusion, Iran’s advancements in AI readiness reflect a broader commitment to leveraging technology for improved governance. As the nation continues to invest in AI infrastructure and capabilities, the impact on public services and citizen engagement is poised to grow significantly.
