ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the key topics being discussed at the 2025 World Governments Summit in Dubai, where heads of state, government delegations and experts from around the world are gathered.
The summit is “hosting global chief executive officers from leading AI companies, including the CEOs of Google, IBM, HP and others,” Mohamed al-Sharhan, Managing Director of the World Governments Summit told Rudaw’s Hawar Abdulrazaq on Tuesday.
Sharhan added that the primary aim of the summit “is to make sure governments are aware of the future of this sector and plan ahead to avoid any negative consequences.”
The Pakistani Defense Minister underscored to Rudaw the importance of governments staying ahead in AI to better counter terrorism. Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated, “We must be ready and equipped with the latest technology to counter terrorism,” warning that “whatever technology available to us, will also be available to terrorists.” He urged governments to “maintain technological superiority over terrorist organizations in the region and elsewhere in the world.”
Meanwhile, the Chancellor of the University of California told Rudaw that AI has the potential to “process large amounts of data the human mind can’t process fast enough.” Pradeep Kumar Khosla added that “based on the insights provided, we as humans can make the correct choices and decisions.”
The summit further touched on the impediments hampering the adoption of AI, including ethical and legal concerns related to privacy and surveillance, security risks that threaten national security, and the high costs of developing and maintaining AI systems.Despite the challenges, Khosla argued that “the use of AI should not be avoided due to the threats that come with it.” He explained that “AI is a transformational technology, and there is always a threat with such technology,” adding however that the threats ought to be managed and “we have to act intelligently.”
The World Government Summit is a major global event that brings together leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore the future of governance and foster international cooperation.
The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Prime Minister and Vice President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Tuesday stated that the Summit will see a “record-high international participation” this year, as more than 30 heads of state and 140 government delegations, including 400 ministers, will be in attendance.
Importantly, the Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday led a high-profile delegation to Dubai to attend the World Government’s Summit. The effort is part of Barzani's “continued commitment” to reinforce the Region's position “as a key and reliable partner on the global stage,” read a statement by his office.