Qatar has launched Qai, a new state-backed artificial intelligence company designed to accelerate the country’s AI ambitions and support long-term economic transformation under Qatar National Vision 2030. Backed by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qai aims to build sovereign AI capabilities, attract global talent, and strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading innovation hub in the Gulf.
Qai will focus on developing and operating secure AI infrastructure, including high-performance computing, while providing the tools needed to deploy AI systems responsibly and at scale. Although headquartered in Qatar, the company has a global mandate and will invest in AI technologies while collaborating with international research institutions, technology firms, and strategic partners.
The launch comes amid intensifying regional competition in AI, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf states investing heavily in national AI strategies, sovereign compute, and regulatory frameworks. Qatar’s move addresses a long-standing gap by creating a centralized entity with the scale and authority to align AI development, commercialization, and policy at the national level.
Qai has positioned trust, transparency, and social benefit at the core of its mission. The company plans to support governments, enterprises, and researchers in building AI systems that reflect local values while meeting stringent security and governance requirements. It also aims to serve as a trusted entry point for global AI companies seeking responsible access to Gulf markets.
Chairman Abdulla Al Misnad said Qai’s objective is to ensure AI-driven transformation remains people-centric, enabling governments and businesses to adopt AI with confidence while enhancing Qatar’s global competitiveness. The initiative signals Qatar’s shift from being a consumer of emerging technologies to an architect of sovereign AI capabilities critical for sectors such as healthcare, finance, energy, and transport.
