Ravi Acharya, Managing Director and Regional Head of Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa at SAS, addressing the event.
Doha: Qatar is creating an enabling environment for the digital ecosystem by harnessing information technology tools such as artificial intelligence (AI). Experts discussed how to achieve a sustainable future with the power of AI at an event held recently.
Qatar’s inspiring National Vision 2030 aims to digitally transform the country into an advanced economy by 2030, capable of sustaining its own development and providing a high standard of living, while preserving the well-being of generations to come.
An innovative mindset, local talent development, and state-of-the-art technology are core preconditions to achieving this ambition. SAS, the leader in analytics hosted a gathering of government, industry, and academic leaders to discuss the topic ‘Building the Future With Sustainable AI,’ which underlined the significance of advanced analytics and AI and how to support sustainable development at Le Royal Méridien, Doha.
US Ambassador to Qatar, H E Timmy T Davis delivered the opening speech. “Qatar delivered an outstanding World Cup and is now focused on its Vision 2030 goals. Qatar has done an impressive work through its educational system, technology infrastructure to execute this, working in close partnership with the US, but the next phase is the most important phase where we ask how do we leverage this world-class technology infrastructure to make most impact,” he said.
Speaking about sustainability in the US and Qatar, the Ambassador noted that sustainability is the key element of future for bilateral partnership. “We are all impacted by climate risk. The fostering of dialogues and sustainability related topics can tackle some of these issues. Qatar will host the Horticultural Doha Expo 2023 starting in October, which will feature technologies from desert agriculture that will deal with innovations.”
He added, “Technology, meaningful data and knowledge are behind the decisions to ensure sustainable future and developments for generations to come. It is exciting and encouraging to see the dedication of the leadership on these issues.”
Speaking through a video message, Jim Goodnight, SAS CEO thanked the audience for joining in Doha to explore the impact that sustainable AI can have on future.
He congratulated the Qatar government for hosting one of the memorable and successful World Cups in recent history. “Your journey does not stop with the World Cup, it continues as you invest as always in sustainable manner. Digital transformation will continue during the implementation of your smart Qatar programme,” he said.
He added, “I am particularly interested in your smart Qatar platform, sustainable AI to achieve your goals. The benefits of automation and AI are proven across all types of businesses and industries. As you embrace technologies and industries like banking and energy and in the private sector you will definitely create a more data driven and resilient country.
“In the world that is constantly changing the analytics of AI can be used to prepare us for the challenges of tomorrow. As we watch businesses and countries become increasingly data and technology driven, we understand that digital transformation will be essential. SAS is proud of your digital journey and we look forward for our continual partnership for many years to come.”
Also addressing the event Managing Director and Regional Head of Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa at SAS, Ravi Acharya said, “With Qatar’s continuous economic diversification and massive infrastructure development, SAS illustrated the possibilities that advanced analytics and AI bring to the table. Integral to the SAS platform and solutions, AI improves each phase of the analytics life cycle, from data to discovery to deployment. With applications in virtually every industry, SAS can assist Qatari organisations in moving forward with confidence by sorting through complex data, accelerating time to value, and making smart decisions.”
