Qatar is poised to play a central role in the next phase of artificial intelligence (AI) by focusing on real-world deployment across key sectors of the economy and society, a top official of a Doha-based venture capital firm has said."The greatest impact will come from applying AI across healthcare, education, energy, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture and public services,” said Dalia al-Khalaf, founder and managing partner at Rawdat Capital.She explained that while much of the global debate has centred on foundational models and infrastructure layers, the long-term winners will be those who integrate AI into industries, improve productivity, and solve challenges at scale. Al-Khalaf emphasised that Qatar’s vision, stability, and international outlook provide the right conditions for such integration, positioning the country as a platform for scaling applied AI solutions. "Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly more complex and more strategic. Governments will rightly focus on issues of security, governance and national interest. Regulation will play an important role. However, while regulation can influence the pace of adoption, it rarely determines the ultimate direction of technological progress,” she said. According to al-Khalaf, Rawdat Capital’s role is to ensure that Qatar has direct access to opportunities emerging from China’s innovation economy, particularly in AI, robotics, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, electric vehicles, and healthcare technology. She pointed out that China is increasingly setting global trends in these sectors, and Qatar’s ability to connect ecosystems, capital and markets will be critical in translating innovation into tangible outcomes. "One of the lessons from every major technology cycle is that innovation ultimately finds its way to the market. We believe the coming decade will reward those who build bridges rather than barriers,” al-Khalaf added. She further explained that Rawdat Capital is building the relationships, knowledge and infrastructure needed to make this vision a reality. Al-Khalaf said the firm’s experience in onboarding Chinese companies into the region demonstrates how introductions can be converted into successful outcomes. "We help translate not only language, but expectations, business practices and strategic priorities. Most importantly, we help convert introductions into successful outcomes,” she stated. She noted that Qatar’s ability to connect global ecosystems is becoming increasingly important as technology fragments geographically. "Countries that can successfully build bridges between major centres of innovation will become increasingly influential. We believe Qatar is exceptionally well positioned to play that role,” al-Khalaf emphasised. Al-Khalaf also highlighted the importance of trust in building such corridors, saying, "Being a bridge sounds simple, but in practice it requires trust on both sides.” The firm has already demonstrated success in onboarding Chinese companies into the region and securing meaningful opportunities for local stakeholders, al-Khalaf pointed out.She said, "Chinese companies often understand the quality of their technology but lack local relationships, market understanding and commercial networks across the GCC. Equally, many regional investors and institutions recognise China’s innovation leadership but do not always have the cultural understanding, language capabilities or relationships required to identify the right partners."Rawdat operates between these worlds. We help translate not only language but also expectations, business practices, and strategic priorities. Most importantly, we help convert introductions into successful outcomes.”She emphasised that Qatar possesses the vision, stability, capital and international outlook required to become a central player in evolving global investment corridors that increasingly connect China, the Gulf and emerging markets.She noted that Rawdat Capital’s recent partnership with Guolian Investment Management reflects growing confidence among major Chinese institutions in Qatar’s role as a gateway to regional opportunity. Al-Khalaf further stressed that the next decade will be defined not by isolated technology blocs but by ecosystems capable of connecting innovation, capital and markets. "Our role is to ensure that Qatar has direct access to these opportunities through trusted relationships, deep market knowledge and proven execution capability,” she pointed out. "Qatar is uniquely positioned to become the leading gateway between China’s innovation economy and the opportunities emerging across the GCC and wider MENA region,” she also said.Earlier, al-Khalaf stated that Qatari investors are set to benefit from access to China’s technology ecosystem, with Rawdat Capital highlighting that many transformative technologies require patient capital, strategic partnerships, and a willingness to invest in future potential rather than short-term outcomes. The firm stressed that Qatar’s long-term outlook and ability to invest beyond short-term gains make it well placed to capture opportunities in China’s innovation economy.