Amman, October 21 (QNA) – Jordan is moving toward building a national ecosystem at a time when global shifts toward an economy driven by data and advanced technologies are accelerating, and international competition to acquire artificial intelligence capabilities and attract related investments is intensifying. This initiative aims to transform this technology from a modern digital tool into an economic and developmental engine, capable of boosting productivity, enhancing public services, and creating new opportunities for investment, employment, and innovation.

Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Sami Smeirat emphasized that Jordan is adopting a strategic approach focused on transitioning from the phase of establishing policies and regulatory frameworks to the phase of expanding the practical applications of AI. This shift is intended to enhance Jordan’s capacity to keep pace with global technological transformations and solidify its position as a regional hub for technology and innovation.

In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Smeirat revealed that 42 out of the 68 projects and initiatives outlined in the executive plan for Jordan’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2023-2027) have reached the implementation or completion stage, accounting for approximately 62% of the total. This serves as an indicator of Jordan’s progress in translating its strategic vision into practical programs that target various economic and service sectors.

He emphasized that Jordan’s ambition in this field is not limited to adopting technology or consuming imported digital solutions, it instead extends to building national capabilities that enable the local development and operation of AI applications, fostering an environment for innovation and investment, and preparing a skilled workforce capable of competing in the regional and global digital economy.

He stated that AI has become a key pillar for the future of the national economy, given its vast potential to improve organizational efficiency, enhance the quality of decision-making, and boost productivity across vital sectors. Smeirat emphasized that investment in this technology is part of a broader national strategy that aligns with the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision, placing digital transformation and innovation at the core of sustainable development pathways.

In his review of the progress made in implementing the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the Minister of Digital Economy explained that the executive plan comprises 68 projects and initiatives aimed at building an integrated national ecosystem that supports the development of AI technologies and expands their use across priority sectors.

He indicated that the 2025 progress report shows that 14 projects have been completed, accounting for approximately 21% of the total, while work is underway on an additional 28 projects, representing about 42%. This brings the total number of projects and initiatives that have reached the implementation or completion stages to 42.

Smeirat emphasized that these results reflect progress in the implementation of the strategy, though the true significance lies in the ability of the projects to bring about tangible change within the work, production, and service environments. He stressed that the success of the transition toward AI is not measured solely by the number of initiatives announced, but rather by the scale of the impact they generate on the economy and society.

The minister explained that the ministry focuses on directing AI applications toward sectors with genuine potential to benefit from this technology, foremost among them education, energy, water, agriculture, government services, and transportation, thereby ensuring that projects are aligned with Jordan’s development priorities and economic needs.

He referred to the Siraj educational platform as an example of projects that leverage AI within the education sector. The initiatives focused on forecasting electrical loads, improving water-use efficiency in agriculture, and refining government data to enhance its quality, thereby maximizing the utility of information for service development and decision-making support.

Smeirat also highlighted projects related to traffic management, which leverage AI technologies to predict traffic flows, optimize traffic light timing, and detect accidents, which contribute to smoother traffic movement and more efficient road management. These initiatives are directly linked to economic and developmental challenges facing countries in the region, most notably the efficient use of resources, energy demand management, the advancement of education, and the improvement of public services. The deployment of AI serves as a practical tool for addressing existing challenges, rather than merely being a response to global technological trends.

He emphasized that the implementation of the strategy is taking place within an integrated national framework, in which the National Council for Future Technology plays a key role in supporting national efforts to develop advanced technology, enhancing coordination among relevant entities, and accelerating the adoption of innovative solutions that serve the national economy. The next phase will focus on expanding the scope of practical applications and strengthening institutional integration, thereby facilitating a gradual transition toward an economy increasingly driven by data, knowledge, and advanced technology.

Regarding investments and economic partnerships, the minister emphasized that Jordan is working to enhance its appeal for high-quality AI investments guided by a vision to build an integrated ecosystem that combines advanced digital infrastructure, qualified human talent, international partnerships, and a legislative and regulatory environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.

He pointed out that the launch of the Klstrai AI computing platform, hosted and operated within the facilities of the Aqaba Digital Hub, marks a significant step in this direction. It enables government institutions, private sector companies, startups, and developers to access advanced computing capabilities within the Kingdom, allowing them to develop and run AI applications and process data locally.

Smeirat explained that providing these capabilities enables a broader range of organizations and companies to leverage AI technologies without the need to bear the high costs associated with building independent computing infrastructures. This helps lower technical and financial barriers to innovation and accelerates the development of digital solutions.

The minister also emphasized that developing these capabilities contributes to strengthening digital and data sovereignty, and supports the creation of an investment environment better prepared to attract projects based on AI and advanced technologies.

In a related context, Smeirat pointed out that strengthening partnerships with the private sector and global companies is a key pathway for developing the AI ecosystem in Jordan. He noted that international cooperation offers significant opportunities for exchanging expertise, building national capabilities, and broadening the benefits derived from advanced technologies.

Jordan seeks to strengthen its position within this ecosystem by fostering a supportive environment for companies and investors, and by developing the human and technological capabilities necessary to participate in the value chains associated with the digital economy, the minister emphasized.

He explained that the ministry is working in parallel to review policies and legislation related to AI, identify regulatory challenges and opportunities to improve the investment environment, and support entrepreneurship while fostering public-private partnerships. He noted that these efforts complement the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision, as well as the national directives supported by the National Council for Future Technology in the fields of advanced technology and innovation.

He emphasized to QNA that Jordan’s approach is not limited to attracting capital, it also encompasses securing investments that contribute to knowledge transfer, the development of national capabilities, the localization of technology, and the creation of new opportunities for Jordanian companies and startups, all of which support the growth of the digital economy and enhance access to regional and international markets.

The Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship addressed the implications of the expanding use of AI for the future of the Jordanian labor market. He emphasized that this technology represents a structural shift in the nature of jobs and the skills required, compelling governments, educational institutions, and the private sector to reconsider their approaches to preparing and qualifying the workforce.

He explained that AI offers extensive opportunities to boost productivity and develop business models, but it also increases the need for advanced skills in technology, data analysis, and the development of digital solutions, making investment in human capital a critical factor in a nation’s ability to benefit from the technological transformation.

Smeirat emphasized that the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship places the development of national capabilities at the forefront of its priorities, recognizing the importance of preparing a workforce capable of utilizing and developing AI applications, and transforming the opportunities provided by technology into productive economic activities. In this context, he revealed that the ministry is implementing a national program for raising awareness and building capacity in the field of AI. The program aims to train 15,000 government employees by the end of 2027, noting that, as of the end of 2025, more than 9,000 employees from over 90 government institutions had already received such training.

He explained that the program aims to enhance the public sector’s readiness to navigate technological shifts, strengthen employees’ ability to leverage AI applications to refine processes, improve institutional performance efficiency, and elevate the standard of government services.

These efforts extend to young people, graduates, and job seekers, and is achieved through the development of advanced digital skills, the provision of specialized training programs in AI, machine learning, and data analysis, as well as opportunities for vocational training and professional retraining, he added.

Regarding academic education, the minister noted that building an economy based on AI requires the development of an educational system capable of keeping pace with rapid technological changes, as well as preparing generations equipped with skills in analytical thinking, innovation, and the ability to work with data and advanced technologies. The ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the National Center for Curriculum Development, is working to enhance digital skills curricula, with the aim of strengthening the role of technology in the educational process and preparing students for future requirements. He pointed out that 27 Jordanian universities offer academic specializations related to AI and data science.

He emphasized that the integration of academic education, specialized training, and labor market needs forms the foundation for building a sustainable ecosystem for future skills. This ensures that the role of national talent is not limited to merely using technological solutions, but extends to participating in their development and production, as well as innovating new applications that serve various economic sectors.

Smeirat pointed out that the development of advanced digital infrastructure helps create an environment that enables companies and developers to build and operate digital solutions locally. This, in turn, supports the growth of technology-related activities and increases the demand for specialized talent. He emphasized that Jordan possesses a human capital base that serves as a fundamental pillar for its technological ambitions, and that investing in qualifying young people and developing their capacity for innovation represents a long-term investment in the Kingdom’s future and its ability to compete in the global economy.

The Kingdom is moving forward with the development of an integrated national ecosystem for AI that encompasses policy and legislative formulation, the implementation of practical projects, the provision of advanced infrastructure, the strengthening of investment partnerships, and the cultivation of human talent, Smeirat explained.

The minister emphasized that the coming phase requires maximizing the economic and developmental impact of technology, and expanding its use across productive and service sectors, thereby contributing to increased efficiency, improved service quality, and enhanced competitiveness of the national economy.

He emphasized that investing in AI is an investment in Jordan’s future, and that success in this field depends on the ability to transform technological potential into tangible opportunities for growth, innovation, and employment, while fostering an environment that enables national companies and talent to develop solutions capable of competing beyond the Kingdom’s borders.

Jordan’s ambition is to transition from being a beneficiary of global shifts in AI to becoming an active contributor to them, driven by a knowledge-based digital economy, advanced skills, a technological infrastructure capable of accommodating high-quality investments, and regional and international partnerships that foster innovation and sustainable development, the minister explained. (QNA)