Iran aspires to be among the world’s top 10 AI powers, but faces significant challenges, including infrastructural deficits, human capital shortages, and geopolitical isolation. Despite ambitious visions articulated by leadership, the actual conditions reveal a stark contrast, suggesting that without substantial reforms and collaborations, Iran’s AI ambitions may remain unrealized.
In the race for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy, Iran aspires to become one of the world’s top 10 AI powers. At the international conference titled “AI and Future Civilization,” Mohammad Mokhber, Special Assistant to the Supreme Leader, expressed Iran’s determination to shift from being an AI consumer to a developer. However, the nation faces significant challenges that cast doubt on the practicality of these ambitions, including infrastructural limitations, human capital shortages, and existing geopolitical realities.
Mokhber’s vision includes empowering youth and fostering education, research, and entrepreneurial ventures, which are essential for building a successful AI ecosystem. Nonetheless, Iran currently ranks 94th in the Government AI Readiness Index 2024, considerably behind regional leaders like the UAE, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. While those countries rapidly invest in AI infrastructure and pursue global partnerships, Iran struggles with digital fragmentation and inconsistent policy execution, undermining its AI aspirations.
Robust infrastructure is critical for AI advancement, encompassing high-speed internet, energy reliability, and active R&D facilities. In contrast, Iran’s infrastructural deficits, including insufficient computing capacity and power supply, pose considerable obstacles. To catch up, Iran must address gaps in data access, cloud computing capabilities, and build a reliable quantum computing sector, which currently remains virtually non-existent in the country.
Human capital remains another significant hurdle, as Iran experiences a severe brain drain. Nearly 180,000 educated professionals leave the country annually, drawn by better economic opportunities abroad. This trend hampers innovation and the ability to cultivate a competitive workforce in the technology sector, which is crucial for successful AI initiatives.
Despite being rich in natural gas resources, Iran’s energy crisis presents substantial barriers to AI development. The country frequently encounters power outages that disrupt essential services and the functionality of data centers necessary for AI research and deployment. As leaders like the U.S. and China invest in renewable energy sources, Iran’s energy instability continues to hinder its ambitions.
Furthermore, Iran’s investment in R&D is minor compared to AI leaders. While the National Development Fund allocated $115 million for AI research in 2025, this amount remains negligible relative to the funding available to U.S. and Chinese institutions. Current global rankings place Iran behind even regional competitors in AI research output, primarily due to limited international collaborations and inadequate funding.
The lack of a dynamic private sector contributes to Iran’s difficulties in executing AI technologies effectively. Although Iran has over 8,000 knowledge-based firms, international sanctions and restricted access to global markets stifle their growth and ability to innovate. To build a more vibrant tech environment, Iran would need considerable reforms to foster private sector development.
Iran’s geopolitical landscape further complicates its ambitions. International sanctions impede access to advanced technologies, limiting opportunities for collaboration and foreign investments. As leading nations fortify their technological advancements, Iran finds itself increasingly isolated, further widening the gap in global technological progress.
Other critical deficits must also be recognized, such as limited public sector adoption of AI technologies, insufficient strategic investments, and the absence of a cohesive ethical framework for AI development. Moreover, the lack of robust intellectual property protections stifles innovation potential, ultimately undercutting Iran’s competitiveness in the field.
Iran’s goal of becoming a top AI power is indeed lofty. However, enthusiasm alone will not suffice to overcome the substantial obstacles it faces, including systemic failures and geopolitical isolation. A pragmatic approach addressing these multifaceted challenges is essential for Iran to transform its ambitious vision into reality. Without such strategic reforms and international partnerships, aspirations of AI supremacy will likely remain elusive, raising questions about whether such ambitions can ever materialize.
In summary, while Iran’s ambition to ascend to the ranks of global AI superpowers is commendable, the reality reveals numerous structural obstacles that must be confronted. From human capital shortages and energy crises to geopolitical isolation and inadequate infrastructural foundations, Iran’s path to AI leadership is fraught with challenges. Strategic reforms, international collaborations, and a commitment to building a supportive ecosystem are essential to bridge the significant gap between aspiration and reality.
Original Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
