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Senior government officials, academics, and innovation leaders have explored how Public Innovation Labs (PILs) can help governments improve service delivery, foster citizen engagement, and build agile institutions.Eman al-Kuwari, director of Digital Innovation at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), underscored how MCIT is reimagining the role of government in the digital age, citing the TASMU Innovation Lab.“Technology is the means, not the end; we created the Innovation Lab to offer a safe environment for experimentation. It’s a space where we can test emerging technologies, validate ideas, and include the wider ecosystem.“That includes startups, academia, and private sector partners. We’re reimagining how government works — and that starts with giving teams the confidence to try,” al-Kuwari pointed out during the inaugural ‘Ibtechar Majlis’, a new dialogue series launched earlier by Qatari innovation firm Ibtechar.She added that innovation must be embedded in the culture of public institutions: “It’s not just about infrastructure or policy — it’s about building a mindset. We want government teams to be able to experiment, to test, and to learn. That’s how we bring real value to public services.”Nejoud M al-Jehani, executive director of Strategy & Programmes at the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, offered a strategic framing of innovation, distinguishing between internal reform and ecosystem-wide transformation.“We differentiate between government innovation and public innovation. Government innovation is about improving internal processes — policies, service delivery, operations. Public innovation is broader. It’s about creating value for society by mobilising the entire ecosystem: government entities, corporates, startups, and universities,” al-Jehani explained.Emphasising the dual role of government in this landscape, she continued: “As an adopter, government defines challenges and becomes the first customer. That builds market confidence. As an enabler, it sets standards, opens partnerships, and creates the conditions for innovation to thrive across sectors.”Hissa al-Tamimi, director of Governmental Innovation at the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB), spoke about the launch of Qatar’s first government accelerator and its role in bridging national priorities with operational realities.She said, “We’re rethinking how services are designed and how operations are managed. The accelerator helps us connect national projects with the day-to-day work of government entities.”Al-Tamimi also addressed the cultural challenge of embedding innovation in public institutions, saying, “If innovation were just about systems, adaptation would be easy. But when you’re dealing with people, that’s where the challenge lies. Innovation pushes us beyond our comfort zones. It’s not a privilege — it’s a way of living. That’s the only way we can advance.”Dr Georgios Dimitropoulos, professor and associate dean for Research at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Law, highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and government: “Academia brings ideas and evidence. The government brings implementability. The two sides need each other.”Citing historical examples to illustrate the power of this partnership, Dimitropoulos said: “Think of the Manhattan Project, the COVID vaccines, and the Internet. These were all born from collaboration between government and academia. Qatar’s AI strategy is a local example. It was developed with HBKU’s Qatar Computing Research Institute, and it positioned the country as an early adopter.”Ibtechar co-founder and CEO Nayef al-Ibrahim, who moderated the discussion, framed the Majlis as a culturally rooted space for dialogue and co-creation, adding that it is “an integral part of Qatari culture.”“Public Innovation Labs continue that spirit. They offer governments safe spaces to test ideas, co-create with citizens, and deliver agile services. In a small state, a model that combines centralised coordination with decentralised experimentation brings significant value. It allows for flexibility, inclusion, and scale—all while maintaining coherence,” he added.

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen Qatar's digital ecosystem and enhance national digital readiness in line with the Digital Agenda 2030, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) convened the second meeting of the Digital Skills Working Group (DSWG).The Working Group serves as a national platform that brings together government entities to unify efforts and coordinate initiatives to strengthen national digital capabilities systematically and strategically.The meeting brought together representatives from several key entities, including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB), the Ministry of Labour (MoL), the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF), and the Ministry of Sports and Youth (MSY), participating in the Working Group for the first time following its recent inclusion.Building on the outcomes of the previous meeting, participants reviewed the progress achieved within the sub-working groups focused on Digital Skills for Children and Youth, Digital Training and Development, and the Digital Skills Frameworks. The meeting also addressed approaches to strengthening integration among national initiatives to ensure greater coherence and effective coordination in advancing the national digital skills ecosystem, thereby setting the foundation for the practical implementation of priority initiatives.The meeting also examined Qatar's performance indicators in international reports related to digital competitiveness and future skills, with the aim of gaining insight into the current situation and discuss the future areas for improvement. Participants also discussed opportunities to strengthen collaboration and unify national efforts to sustain Qatar's progress and reinforce its leading position in digital skills development indices.The meeting concluded with an acknowledgment of the valuable contributions of all participating entities. The discussions emphasised that advancing digital skills across all segments of society, from children and youth to the workforce and senior citizens, is a key enabler for building an inclusive digital society and strengthening Qatar's position as a leading model in digital development.Participants highlighted the importance of continued coordination, knowledge exchange, and unified planning among entities to ensure the effective implementation of national digital-skills initiatives, while emphasizing the need to present future proposals and initiatives that support inclusive and sustainable digital growth in the State of Qatar.

The Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) participated in the annual meeting of the Africa/Middle East Committee (AMERC) of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), which was held in the UAE. QFMA chief executive officer Dr Tamy bin Ahmad al-Binali attended the meeting, which discussed several issues and topics, including online harms in digital securities markets, the regional capital markets integration, the members’ experiences and initiatives in this regard, lessons learned and challenges ahead. During the workshop accompanying the meeting, the shift towards the use of tokenised digital assets (tokenisation) in financial markets was highlighted and discussed whether this technology represents a natural progression in market development or poses a challenge to traditional regulatory systems. The meeting also explored modern trends in the future of sustainable finance, how environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations have become part of the global financial system, and how financial markets can be reshaped to keep pace with these new standards. On the sidelines of the meeting, al-Binali met with Emmanuel Givanakis, chief executive officer of the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on several issues and topics of mutual interest, and they discussed bilateral co-operation, particularly in the areas of capital markets and financial services. They also reviewed the key global developments and trends in this field and explored future avenues for collaboration between both parties.

Qatar Museums (QM) and the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) announced the launch of the NMoQ Metaverse Pilot Project, marking a major step in digital cultural innovation.This initiative, developed in collaboration with Cisco, and in turn, with Web3 implementation partner droppGroup, presents a live and intelligent museum experience that integrates immersive 3D environments, augmented and extended reality, and artificial intelligence.The project aims to place Qatar at the forefront of integrating metaverse and AI technologies to enhance museum engagement, while exploring new technologies intended to promote access to culture.By embracing innovation, QM demonstrates its role as a pioneer in cultural transformation and experimentation while supporting the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.The platform also introduces new opportunities for accessibility and remote learning, allowing students, researchers, and educators to engage with Qatar’s cultural heritage in new ways.In a press statement, NMoQ director Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Thani said: “With the NMoQ Metaverse Pilot Project, we are extending this mission into the digital realm, allowing audiences everywhere to walk through our galleries, engage with our collections, and encounter Qatar’s history in immersive and interactive new ways.“This initiative ensures that NMoQ continues to be not only a guardian of heritage, but also a frontrunner in shaping how museums engage with the world.”QM noted that this project is part of Cisco's Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme in Qatar. Active in Qatar since 2019, CDA is Cisco’s strategic programme designed to accelerate the nation's digitalisation agenda and generate new value for its citizens, businesses, and the country as a whole.Through public and private partnerships, the programme focuses on leveraging innovative digital solutions to address national challenges across key sectors such as national infrastructure, education, and smart communities.Through the pilot, visitors can explore digital twins of three galleries: The Archaeology of Qatar, The People of Qatar, and Life in Al Barr (The Desert). Twenty-two curated objects are presented with interactive augmented reality features, detailed descriptions, and direct links to the museum’s online collection.The experience is enhanced by Murjana, NMoQ’s customised digital mascot, who provides bilingual narration in Arabic and English with intelligent, personalised guidance. Accessible on mobile devices, desktops, tablets, and VR headsets, the platform also introduces new opportunities for remote learning, allowing students and educators to engage with Qatar’s cultural heritage in new ways.“QM has consistently demonstrated strategic vision in leveraging technology to advance cultural preservation and global engagement, in alignment with Qatar's national digital ambitions. This initiative is a direct testament to that forward-thinking approach,” said Cisco Qatar general manager Hasan Khan.

Visit Qatar has won six awards, including two Gold, at the 2025 SMARTIES Saudi Arabia Awards, organised by the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The organisation received Gold Awards in the categories of Innovative Use of AI in Advertising and Personalisation, alongside three Silver Awards for AI-Powered Audience Engagement, AI-Driven Creative Excellence, and Customer Experience and UX Design. Reinforcing its position as an industry pioneer, Visit Qatar also received the Best Use of AI in Marketing Award. This achievement follows the success of Visit Qatar's recent digital campaigns, including "Qatar Goes WILD! 5M Visitors, No Brakes!" aimed at adventure-driven audiences, and "5M Visitors Qatar Just CHANGED THE GAME!" which celebrated record visitor numbers. Supported by an advanced digital ecosystem featuring a hyper-personalisation messaging engine, real-time dynamic creative optimisation, and extensive big data analytics, these campaigns delivered relevant and engaging travel experiences tailored to audience interests and behaviours The award-winning campaigns were delivered in collaboration with strategic partners Mindshare Qatar and Smartifai, who contributed to the development of AI-powered marketing solutions based on big data insights and real-time audience engagement, enhancing campaign performance and impact across global markets.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has been awarded a Unesco Chair on Digital Technologies and Human Behaviour, with the College of Science and Engineering’s (CSE) Dr Raian Ali appointed as Chairholder from June 2025 to June 2029.Unesco’s Chairs Programme represents the organisation’s most significant intersectoral activity in higher education. The designation is in recognition of HBKU’s excellence, building on the existing Unesco Chairs on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, a statement said Wednesday.The new Chair will explore the intersection between digital technologies and human behaviour, promoting digital well-being, ethical use of technology, and positive societal transformation. It will also encourage healthy human interaction both online and offline, tackling challenges such as Internet addiction, cyberbullying, and misinformation, while fostering active engagement in addressing these issues.Commenting on the announcement and the significance of the Chair, Dr Mounir Hamdi, Dean, CSE, stated: “Technology is transforming every aspect of how we live, work, and connect. Through this Unesco Chair, HBKU will lead a global effort to ensure that digital transformation empowers people, strengthens communities, amplifies underrepresented voices, and contributes to a healthier relationship between humanity and evolving technologies.”As part of its activities, the Chair will address the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) while embracing its potential benefits, stressing the importance of aligning technology with cultural values and societal norms. By merging a cross-disciplinary approach within Qatar, the region and globally, the programme will promote collaboration among stakeholders, including ministries, policymakers, health professionals, and educators, to maximise social and economic impact.The Chair will also host events that encourage dialogue, knowledge exchange, and innovation across academia, industry, and public policy. These platforms help co-create solutions that are more likely to be adopted and sustained.Dr Ali said: “I am proud to lead this exceptional opportunity to advance research that ensures technology serves human values responsibly. At HBKU, we aim to generate evidence-based insights that promote digital well-being, impact-driven innovation, and a digital future shaped by ethics.”By collaborating with more than 15 partner institutions from over 10 countries and engaging around 40 professionals, the Chair reflects HBKU’s commitment to shaping a holistic and forward-thinking ecosystem that aligns with Qatar’s national priorities and the university’s core research strengths, the statement added.

The Qatar Financial Centre and Doha Bank have entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate fintech growth and innovation in the country.The QFC Authority (QFCA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Doha Bank, marking a major step towards strengthening Qatar’s financial services landscape through strategic collaborations in fintech development and digital innovation.The MoU outlines a collaborative framework in three strategic areas as driving growth in Qatar’s fintech and digital asset ecosystem through joint research, prototype development, and the introduction of innovative financial solutions.It also outlines supporting fintech companies through technical guidance, facilitating secure banking relationships, and streamlining account opening processes; and establishing a programme for regular engagement, including quarterly meetings, joint workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, to explore new opportunities and ensure the continuous development of the ecosystem."This partnership with Doha Bank is a stride towards positioning Qatar as a leading hub for fintech and digital assets. Together, we will strengthen the foundations for innovation that enable fintech companies to grow with confidence and support the development of technological solutions that will define the future of financial services," said Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida, chief executive officer, QFCA.Highlighting the importance of collaboration in advancing innovation, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Fahad bin Faisal al- Thani, Group chief executive officer, Doha Bank, said, globally, the banking and financial industry is undergoing major transformations."This highlights the importance of collaboration at the institutional level to drive the development of innovative financial solutions in Qatar and keep pace with these ongoing changes. Our agreement today reflects our shared commitment to advancing financial technologies and innovation within an enabling, inclusive, and comprehensive ecosystem," he said.This collaboration signals a new chapter in financial innovation. As fintech and digital assets reshape global markets, the QFC and Doha Bank are laying the groundwork for creating solutions that will not only serve businesses today but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s economy.

Media City Qatar and Qatar University hosted the second edition of the Euronews Academy Bootcamp, focused on digital and mobile journalism, which took place over the course of three days at St. Regis Marsa Arabia. The program offered training sessions designed to provide participants with practical skills and insights relevant to modern journalism. Students from Qatar University's College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Mass Communication, participated in a series of interactive workshops over the first two days. Sessions covered digital storytelling techniques, mobile reporting and editing, and strategies for using social media platforms to engage audiences. The final day brought together instructors and representatives from Qatar University, Media City Qatar, and Euronews for a dedicated session, allowing participants to consolidate their learning in a collaborative environment. Director of Strategy and Excellence at Media City Qatar, Tevfik Ergun affirmed Media City Qatar's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the media sector. "Through our partnership with Qatar University and Euronews, the bootcamp provides opportunities for emerging talent to explore new ideas, gain exposure to industry standards, and contribute to shaping the next generation of media professionals. Initiatives like this support Qatar National Vision 2030 by nurturing a skilled, creative workforce that strengthens the country's media ecosystem." For her part, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Qatar University, Fatima Al Kubaisi said: "This program with Media City Qatar and Euronews provides our academic community with vital global media expertise. It encourages the critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving essential for building a diversified, knowledge-based economy, aligning with our mission to cultivate individuals who can make a positive impact within society." This year's bootcamp builds on their previous Euronews Business Media Training, reinforcing their shared commitment to preparing participants for careers in a fast-changing media environment and advancing Qatar's position as a regional media hub.

The State of Qatar emphasized the importance of the international community continuing to intensify its efforts to enhance cybersecurity and expand avenues of cooperation, particularly between developed and developing countries, in order to ensure the utilization and preservation of digital gains. Qatar stressed that cyberspace and its related uses provide vast opportunities for promoting economic development and achieving human well-being. This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani before the UN General Assembly's First Committee at its 80th session on Other Disarmament Measures and International Security, held at UN headquarters in New York. Sheikh Abdulrahman explained that progress in the digital and technological fields has offered smart and low-cost solutions to many development-related issues, while also enhancing social communication through modern and advanced networks. He noted that while such progress offers wide-ranging opportunities in various areas of technology, it also brings increasing cybersecurity risks, which now pose threats to all forms of digital activity — including attacks targeting vital telecommunications and digital infrastructure, resulting in serious material and moral damage, privacy violations, and obstacles to economic development efforts. He added that information security and cybersecurity have become major concerns for the international community — particularly for governments, public institutions, banks, financial bodies, and private sector entities. He pointed out that growing global awareness of these threats led to the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which Qatar signed during the official ceremony held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Oct. 25, 2025. He further added that, as part of its efforts to exchange expertise and knowledge in the field of information and communications technology at both regional and international levels, the State of Qatar has continued its active participation in the meetings of the Open-ended Working Group on the Security of Information and Communication Technology (2021-2025), whose work concluded in July 2025, pointing out that the State of Qatar welcomed the group's consensus-adopted final report, expressing hope that its recommendations would be implemented to strengthen cybersecurity and international cooperation in the safe use of ICTs - including the future permanent mechanism on ICT security in the context of international security. He also noted that, reaffirming the State of Qatar's commitment to promoting responsible behavior in cyberspace, the National Cyber Security Agency organized a side event titled "Qatar's Successful Experience in Implementing the UN Norms for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace" on July 7, 2025, during the Eleventh Substantive Session of the Open-Ended Working Group. The event, he said, aimed to highlight Qatar's successful model in adopting UN cybersecurity standards through its achievements and implemented initiatives. The Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, referred to Qatar's participation in the Fourth Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity, held on Sept. 8, 2025, in the sisterly State of Kuwait, during which the execution plan for the GCC Cybersecurity Strategy, as well as the framework for international cooperation among GCC member states in the field of cybersecurity were approved.

HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah affirmed that the launch of the AI-powered building permit issuance system represents a qualitative national achievement that enhances the country's digital transformation process and places it at the forefront of countries employing AI technologies in government services.In a speech marking the Ministry of Municipality's inauguration of the AI-powered permit issuance system, HE al-Attiyah noted that it represents a pioneering step that embodies the country's drive to accelerate digital transformation and enhance the quality and efficiency of government services, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy.He explained that the new system represents a qualitative leap in the field of issuing building permits, as it contributes to accelerating procedures, increasing performance efficiency, and enhancing the quality of services provided to beneficiaries. It enables the issuance of building permits in just 120 minutes, instead of 30 days, thanks to its ability to automatically read engineering drawings and verify their compliance with approved technical standards. This contributes to improving the beneficiary experience and facilitating procedures without compromising technical accuracy.The AI-powered building permit issuance system is one of the key projects within the Ministry of Municipality's digital transformation programme, which aims to expedite transactions, standardise technical standards, support the engineering sector and consulting offices, simplify procedures, and enhance the efficiency and accuracy of outputs by processing drawings electronically, with a completion rate of up to 70% in the first phase.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani witnessed Sunday the inauguration of the Ministry of Municipality's AI-powered building permit issuance system, in a move that embodies the nation's pivot towards accelerating digital transformation and fostering the quality and efficiency of public services.The inauguration ceremony was attended by ministers, ambassadors, and senior officials from state agencies, alongside representatives from consulting offices, urban development companies, and the engineering sector.This system is among the flagship projects within the ministry's digital transformation programme, which aims to accelerate transaction completion and unify technical standards.It also seeks to support the engineering sector and consulting offices, while streamlining procedures and boosting the efficiency and precision of outputs through online processing of plans, achieving up to 70 % completion in the first phase.

Qatar National Bank (QNB) said that rare earths were key to the electronics and digital revolution and are becoming even more important as new industries and technologies emerge. In its weekly economic commentary, the QNB added that AI, semiconductors, defense and aerospace, as well as energy transition are becoming some of the most strategic sectors for the 21st century and should require massive growth in rare earth supply. This further strengthens China's dominant position in these supply chains and creates bottlenecks as well as vulnerabilities to the US and other competitors. US-China strategic competition is set to be one of the major drivers of the global economy in the years to come."In recent weeks, disputes over export controls of rare earth-related supply chains almost led to a major escalation of US-China trade conflicts," it said.Despite their name, rare earth elements are not particularly rare in the Earth's crust. The challenge lies in their extraction and refining, which are technologically complex, environmentally sensitive, and capital intensive.The group includes 17 elements such as neodymium, dysprosium, terbium, cerium, lanthanum, and yttrium, each with unique magnetic, optical, or catalytic properties that make them indispensable for modern industry. In addition, several related critical minerals, including gallium, germanium, indium, cobalt, and lithium, play similar roles across supply chains.Together, the importance of these materials can be seen most clearly in three of the most important, rapidly expanding sectors in the world. In the field of AI and semiconductors, rare earths are integral to the machinery and processes that make advanced chips possible. Cerium oxide is used to polish silicon wafers with nanometric precision, yttrium is a core component of plasma etching systems, and neodymium-based magnets power the high-efficiency cooling and motor systems used in AI data centers. Meanwhile, related elements such as gallium and germanium are used directly in high-performance chips and optical communications.In defense and aerospace, other rare earths are key inputs for jet engines, radar systems, and precision-guided weapons. Finally, in the energy transition, rare earths like neodymium and paraseodyum are essential for the powerful magnets that make EVs and wind turbines operate efficiently, while lanthanum and cerium play crucial roles in catalytic converters and energy storage technologies.The exponential growth in demand has transformed rare earths and critical minerals from industrial commodities into strategic assets. This growing importance has also created new geopolitical frictions, largely because production and processing capacity are highly concentrated in a few countries, particularly China.In a now-famous remark, former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping observed in 1987 that "The Middle East has oil; China has rare earths."China invested heavily in geological surveys, mining, and refining technology. By the early 2000s, China had become the dominant player in nearly every stage of the supply chain. Today, it accounts for around 65 percent of global mining output but over 85 percent of global refining and processing capacity. It also produces the majority of the permanent magnets and other high-value downstream products that depend on these materials. The country has also invested in expanding its footprint across the industry overseas, controlling significant assets, resources and reserves even outside China.In 2021, Beijing consolidated several state-owned companies into the China Rare Earth Group, strengthening its control and coordination over the sector. More recently, China has introduced export controls for national security reasons. Officials have emphasized that these controls are not outright bans but measures to ensure "responsible and secure" trade in dual-use goods. Nonetheless, these steps have reinforced perceptions that China views control over critical minerals as an important element of its broader geopolitical toolkit.In response, other countries have moved to diversify supply chains and reduce strategic dependence. The US has classified rare earths as critical to national security and is investing in domestic mining and processing through the Defense Production Act. However, these efforts will take years to bear fruit.