Artificial intelligence is no longer merely software tools or sophisticated digital platforms; it has become a strategic pillar reshaping the global economy and attracting capital. At the World Investment Forum held in Doha, Qatar, discussions in some sessions ranged from the challenges of building robust infrastructure , data centers, energy security, and semiconductors, to the imperatives of administrative reform and the use of smart technologies to dismantle complex bureaucratic procedures for investors.
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International experts and officials who participated in the "Investing in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure" and "Promoting and Facilitating Investment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" seminars agreed that injecting billions and buying ready-made technological solutions is not enough on its own; real benefit requires an integrated system, clear policies, and reliable data, while the human element remains a fundamental pillar to ensure accuracy, control, and innovation.
In the first seminar, the president of the International Data Centers Association, Mehdi Barifi, warned of the widening digital divide, noting that countries that lag behind in investing in artificial intelligence infrastructure will find it extremely difficult to catch up with advanced economies, pointing out that building sovereign computing capabilities has become a strategic necessity.
The discussions revealed a striking concentration of investment; just 10 countries account for approximately 80% of global artificial intelligence investments. The obstacles facing developing countries extend beyond funding to include the operational requirements of data centers, such as land, communication networks, and sustainable energy sources.
In this context, the president of the SEMI Association, Laith Al-Tamimi, stated that data centers currently consume approximately 2% of the total global energy, stressing that the semiconductor industry is at the heart of this system, which requires a comprehensive investment strategy for local resources, equipment, and skills, supported by a stable regulatory environment that ensures policy stability and risk distribution.
For her part, ZTE representative Samar Chen confirmed that the artificial intelligence infrastructure is based on a connected network that includes energy, natural resources , cables, open data sources, and human resource development.
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