Qatar is redefining the boundaries between art and technology, creating a national ecosystem where creativity drives innovation, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM), said at Web Summit Qatar 2026 yesterday.
“It’s very interesting, because whilst most places in the world, arts and culture and technology may be seen as separate spheres, in Qatar, actually, we brought them together.
“And for arts and culture to thrive, it needs technology. So that becomes two sides of the same coin, which we call creativity. And we’ve done a lot in the field already in terms of investing in technology within our existing infrastructure,” HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said.
The QM chairperson highlighted the country’s long-term vision, launched in 2008 and aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, as a framework for building cultural and technological infrastructure. From the Museum of Islamic Art to the National Museum of Qatar, the nation has invested heavily in museums, creative hubs, and platforms that cultivate innovation.
HE Sheikha Al Mayassa emphasised the importance of nurturing talent. “if you invest in creativity, it doesn’t mean somebody will become an artist, it can be the next tech entrepreneur or the next president or the next whatever. So that was very, very important”.
In line with this vision, QM announced several initiatives at the summit, including a partnership with Google Cloud to transform the nation’s cultural investments into an educational Mario Kart game, and plans for the Dadu Children’s Museum, set to open in 2029, which will integrate AI into learning and play.
The National Museum of Qatar already hosts a Microsoft AI lab, reflecting the growing role of technology in education and cultural engagement. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa also highlighted Qatar’s Creative Visa programme, which invites curators and artists to reside in the country and contribute to its cultural ecosystem.
She noted that holders of the Creative Visa have the flexibility to reside in Qatar either full-time or part-time, attracting numerous artists and creatives drawn by the country’s robust infrastructure and abundant opportunities.
According to her, Art Basel Qatar, launching in parallel with Web Summit, exemplifies the country’s vision of blending art and technology. Curated by Wael Shawky, the first recipient of the creative visa, the fair integrates exhibitions within urban museum spaces, making art accessible while fostering global creative exchange.
She underscored the broader purpose of Qatar’s cultural strategy, saying: “I believe museums today are the most relevant public spaces that we have, and it brings people of all walks of life together.
“You are able to feel confident and safe to discuss any initiative in any project that you want, because really, frankly, we’re not here to judge people’s discourse. We’re here to encourage people to, you know, to exchange ideas, to see eye to eye with each other, and to respect each other”.
Pointing to global collaborations, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa highlighted how technology has expanded cultural exchange. She said video platforms and AI go beyond mere tools, enabling the creation of sustainable, long-term connections and fostering global collaboration in ways previously unimaginable.
Through strategic investments in museums, creative programmes, and technology-driven learning, the QM chairperson said Qatar is positioning itself as a hub for cultural and technological innovation. The country is building an ecosystem where art fuels technological advancement, technology enriches artistic expression, and together they empower people — an approach showcased at Art Basel Qatar, which invites attendees to experience this dynamic exchange of ideas firsthand.