Technology acceleration has been a cornerstone of Qatar’s economic transformation, positioning it as a resilient, diversified and future-focused economy, writes PwC executive Bassam Hajhamad.
Qatar’s progress is evident on the global stage: the nation rose 21 places in the Global Innovation Index 2024 to rank 49th out of 133 countries and jumped from 78th to 53rd, among 193 countries, in the UN E-Government Development Index 2024.
This has created new economic opportunities and attracted international talent and foreign direct investment, fully aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (NDS-3). Central to this tech-driven growth is the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).
Qatar initiated its National AI Strategy in 2019, while its National Digital Agenda 2030 (NDA 2030) outlines substantial investments in digital infrastructure. The latter aims to build a digitally advanced economy prioritising innovation, a skilled workforce and expertise in emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing and nanotechnology.
Today, the positive and growing effects of these initiatives reflect a broader shift in mindset toward agility, collaboration, and technology-driven competitiveness.
Leveraging GenAI for business reinvention
Over the past year, Generative AI (GenAI) has become an essential tool in various industries globally, helping to reshape the workforce, increasing productivity and efficiency. Earlier this year, PwC’s 28th annual CEO Study results have indicated that business leaders in Qatar are already ahead of the curve, with a striking 90% of CEOs in Qatar adopting GenAI over the last year, compared to 83% globally.
Looking ahead, 97% of CEOs in Qatar plan to integrate GenAI into technology platforms within the next three years (compared to 78% globally), while 87% aim to embed it into business processes (compared to 76% globally) and 83% into product development (compared to 63% globally).
These findings highlight how Qatar’s business leaders are proactively leverage emerging technologies to drive competitive advantage and strategic growth. Significantly, 90% of CEOs plan to include GenAI in their workforce strategy, outpacing the global average of 68%.
A key driver behind this forward-thinking approach to innovation and business transformation is the eagerness to evolve: 73% of Qatar's CEOs are keen to enhance the way they do business in the next 10 years or less. The sentiment reflects both a mindset evolution and a strategic response to global megatrends.
The appetite for transformation is already visible in the extent of AI adoption in Qatar where we find 24/7 chatbots that streamline customer service to real-time analytics that inform strategic decisions. Integrated AI-CRM systems are delivering personalised experiences, while AI-optimised supply chains are reducing costs and improving logistics.
CEOs are also accelerating product innovation and using AI-powered financial forecasting to uncover opportunities, mitigate risks, and maximise savings.
Government investment in AI and ecosystem growth
At a national level, Qatar continues to implement a comprehensive strategy to build a smart technology-enabled economy. Digital investments are projected to increase to $5.7 billion by 2026 (up from $1.65 billion in 2022) reflecting a growth of 245.5% over four years. Qatar is also scaling its commitment to AI through investments led by the Qatar Investment Authority.
In a hugely significant move, Hamad Bin Khalifa University launched the Qatar Center for Quantum Computing last year to advance research in quantum communication and computing. Quantum’s impact will span critical sectors – from smart-grid optimisation and real-time financial risk analysis to boosting renewable-energy efficiency – cementing Qatar’s leadership in next-generation technologies.
AI-led transformation and industry convergence
A standout feature of this AI-driven transformation is industry convergence, as sector boundaries blur and cross-industry collaborations unlock new value streams. CEOs in Qatar are exploring partnerships across finance, healthcare, energy, and tech, unlocking operational efficiencies, accessing new customer segments, and accelerating innovation.
A notable 63% of CEOs surveyed by PwC say that they have collaborated with other organisations, 57% have successfully targeted new customer bases, and 47% have explored innovative routes to market. These initiatives underscore Qatar’s dynamic business leadership and set the stage for continued innovation and transformation.
To support long-term competitiveness, businesses are also investing in AI skills development and employee training, ensuring that their workforce remains adaptive in an age where automation and intelligence are rapidly becoming standard.
As Qatar continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking initiatives, its business landscape is poised to ride this wave of transformation. The forward-looking policies of today are laying the foundation for a resilient and competitive economy well equipped to thrive in the years ahead.
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