Iran to Launch Its First AI Innovation Park Within Two Years: A New Era for Tech Development
The establishment of the first artificial intelligence (AI) park in Tehran marks a significant development in the country’s technological landscape. Planned for completion within the next two years, this innovative initiative aims to showcase Iran’s advancements in AI technology while providing essential AI-related services to its citizens. According to Mojtaba Alizadeh, an official from the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, the AI park will focus on several key areas, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and demonstrations of Iran’s national AI platform.
The AI park will serve as a hub for both researchers and the general public, offering access to vital AI processing infrastructure. This facility will enable users to conduct research and experiments, fostering innovation and collaboration among stakeholders in the AI field.
- Collaboration: The development of the AI park involves a partnership between government bodies, large corporations, and technology firms.
- Infrastructure: The park will feature an extensive AI processing infrastructure to support various AI-related projects.
- Services: Users can expect a wide range of AI services, enhancing their research capabilities and technological understanding.
International Conference on AI and Future Civilization
In addition to the AI park, Tehran will also host an international conference on AI and future civilization on January 29. This event aims to explore the intersection of AI and new world orders, emphasizing the moral and ethical implications of AI governance in light of the Islamic revolution.
The conference will cover several important topics, including:
- Legal, economic, cultural, and social dimensions of AI
- The relationship between AI and cognitive science
- AI ecosystem architecture
- Education and training for AI human capital
- AI infrastructure, including processing tools
- Current AI theories, knowledge, and technologies
- AI models and structures
- AI markets and standards
- AI services and products
- AI security
Participants will include representatives from over 20 prominent domestic universities and 30 renowned global institutions. Additionally, esteemed researchers and professors from countries such as China, Italy, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Iraq will share their insights on AI and its role in shaping future civilizations.
The conference will also feature an exhibition where knowledge-based companies will display their latest AI products, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technology.
Iran’s AI Readiness Ranking
According to Oxford Insights, which evaluates government preparedness for implementing AI in public services, Iran currently ranks 94th out of 193 countries. As governments worldwide strive to foster AI innovation and establish regulatory frameworks, they also face the challenge of effectively integrating AI for public benefit.
The Oxford Insights index includes 39 indicators across 10 dimensions, which are grouped into three pillars: Government, Technology Sector, and Data and Infrastructure. Notably, Iran’s best performance was observed in the Data and Infrastructure pillar, where it scored 55.88, highlighting its capabilities in infrastructure development, data availability, and data representativeness.
In contrast, Iran’s lowest score of 31.56 was in the Government pillar, primarily due to the lack of a national AI development strategy. However, there is optimism that once such a document is implemented, the country’s ranking will improve significantly.
The top three countries in AI readiness are the United States, Singapore, and England. Interestingly, many Arab nations have made considerable strides in enhancing their AI readiness by investing in infrastructure and strategic development, securing spots in the top 50 of the index.
Iran’s Contributions to AI Research
A report from the Web of Science database highlights Iran’s remarkable achievements in AI research, revealing that the country produced the highest number of AI-related documents among Islamic nations, totaling 2,638 publications from 2013 to 2022. Following Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey ranked second and third, with 2,465 and 2,303 documents, respectively.
Globally, Iran ranks 14th in artificial intelligence research. Its accomplishments extend to various technological fields, including:
- 2nd in 3D printing and robotics
- 4th in the Internet of Things
- 5th in 5G communication technologies and big data
- 7th in drone technology
- 8th in blockchain technology
These rankings underscore Iran’s commitment to advancing its technological capabilities and its growing influence in the global AI landscape.
MT/MG
