Science Ministry Unveils Comprehensive AI Action Plan for Future Innovation

Science Ministry Unveils Comprehensive AI Action Plan for Future Innovation

Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology has recently announced the completion of an ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) action plan that underscores the critical role of AI in advancing the nation’s scientific landscape. This initiative, crafted in partnership with the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, was officially unveiled during a meeting attended by First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Aref.

The AI action plan aims to establish a robust framework for integrating AI into various sectors of the economy and education, fostering innovation, and enhancing international collaborations. Below are the main pillars of this comprehensive plan:

  • Transformation in Education and Training Human Resources: Focused on equipping future generations with essential AI skills.
  • Empowering Research and Innovation Capacity Building: Enhancing the research environment to foster creativity and development.
  • Promoting and Commercializing AI: Supporting the growth of AI technologies and entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Expanding Science Diplomacy and International Cooperation: Building partnerships with global institutions.
  • Improving the Scientific Status of the Country: Elevating Iran’s international standing in the field of AI.

The first pillar, which is the transformation in education, will see the establishment of specialized programs aimed at enhancing human resources in the field of AI. This includes:

  1. Creation of five national laboratories in select universities.
  2. Development of interdisciplinary postgraduate programs focused on AI.
  3. Integrating AI and digital transformation topics into undergraduate curricula, particularly for engineering majors.

Another significant aspect of the action plan is the empowerment of research and innovation capacity building. This will involve:

  • Designating certain universities as national research and development centers for AI.
  • Supporting the development of at least three fundamental AI models, including language and vision models, using domestic data.
  • Launching a secure platform for the collection and sharing of research and educational data.

The initiative also emphasizes the importance of expanding science diplomacy and international cooperation. This will include:

  • Accelerating the formation and growth of AI startups.
  • Hosting AI competitions to promote innovation.
  • Enhancing educational and research collaborations with top universities, particularly in Shanghai and among BRICS and OIC member states.

In addition to these goals, the action plan aims to improve the scientific status of the country. Key objectives include:

  • Maintaining and improving Iran’s international ranking in AI.
  • Indexing at least eight specialized journals in the first and second quartiles.
  • Increasing support for top researchers and patents.
  • Strengthening scientific associations and national AI networking.

According to the Nature Index, Iran’s ranking in scientific production related to artificial intelligence has improved from 33 to 30, placing it among the top 50 leaders globally. Hossein Afshin, an official from the Vice Presidency of Science and Technology, expressed optimism about further enhancing the country’s scientific standing in the next two years.

In August, Afshin indicated that Iran is actively working on developing AI infrastructure, including an AI platform and an AI assistant, which are expected to be launched in the near future.

Furthermore, a recent report from Oxford Insights placed Iran 91st among 188 countries in terms of government readiness to implement AI in public services, marking a three-position improvement from 94th in 2023. The Government AI Readiness Index serves as a vital resource for policymakers, providing an official benchmark for national governments.

This year’s edition of the index evaluates the AI readiness of countries amidst growing complexities, such as evolving citizen needs and challenges that include economic uncertainty, climate risks, and rising inequalities. By addressing the question of how ready governments are to implement AI in public service delivery, the index offers a practical tool for evidence-based decision-making.

Iran’s best performance comes from the Data and Infrastructure pillar of the AI Readiness Index, scoring 66.29, a notable improvement from 55.88 the previous year. This score reflects enhanced indicators in various areas, including:

  • Infrastructure (70)
  • Data availability (43)
  • Data representativeness (121)

In conclusion, Iran’s AI action plan not only aims to bolster the nation’s scientific advancements but also positions the country as a competitive player on the global stage in the field of artificial intelligence. With these strategic initiatives, the nation is set to harness the power of AI to improve governance, drive economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for its citizens.

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