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Industry leaders in Qatar are transitioning from broad discussions on artificial intelligence potential to focused efforts on solving specific business challenges through targeted AI tools, according to accounts from a recent innovation event covered by The Peninsula. David Shim, CEO and co-founder of Read AI, told the publication that conversations with end users reveal more actionable insights than large-scale license requests from major corporations. Over recent quarters the market has moved from what Shim described as “AI speed” to a more measured pace, with emphasis on addressing defined problems rather than adopting general copilot solutions that often go unused.
The Peninsula reported that enthusiasm for AI remains strong across Qatar and the wider region, yet executives increasingly prioritise measurable outcomes over initial hype. Shim noted that the next phase involves autonomous agents capable of handling defined tasks across platforms and time zones, moving beyond basic chat-based systems associated with tools like ChatGPT. This evolution aligns with broader enterprise needs in multilingual and data-intensive environments prevalent in the Qatari market.
PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey found that 84 percent of CEOs in Qatar have clearly defined roadmaps for AI initiatives while 81 percent report a supportive organisational culture and 77 percent cite access to suitable technology environments.[[1]](https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/research-and-studies/qatar-ceos-align-ai-investment-and-growth-with-national-transformation-priorities-rhdhglbk) The assessment indicated AI is being embedded across functions including demand generation, fulfilment, support services and customer experiences. Bassam Hajhamad, Qatar country senior partner and consulting lead at PwC Middle East, stated that business leaders are scaling AI while pursuing acquisitions and aligning with national priorities to build an innovative economy.
At the SAP Business Suite Innovation Day, Alaa Jaber, managing director for SAP Qatar and fast growth markets, said a new era of enterprise management is emerging with Qatar setting the pace in AI readiness. “Artificial intelligence is now accepted as an essential strategic capability that enables national growth and competitiveness,” Jaber added, referencing International Monetary Fund analysis on productivity gains from AI adoption. Participants engaged in workshops on SAP Business Data Cloud for real-time analytics and explored unified architectures combining applications, data and AI to accelerate execution.
Executives from key sectors shared practical experiences during the event covered by The Peninsula. Jassim Al Mansoori, vice chairman and president of Al Ahed Holding, described how SAP cloud solutions optimised finance, inventory, procurement and supply chain processes for nearly 4,000 employees at DOPET. Abdulaziz Al Tamimi, CEO of Qatar Primary Materials Company, outlined a three-year RISE with SAP engagement expanded to include SuccessFactors modules for workforce planning and rostering.
PwC data further places 97 percent of Qatari CEOs expecting improved domestic economic growth over the next 12 months, with 90 percent planning major acquisitions in the coming three years to support diversification.[[1]](https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/research-and-studies/qatar-ceos-align-ai-investment-and-growth-with-national-transformation-priorities-rhdhglbk) More than half of those surveyed reported over 10 percent of revenues already derived from new products or services linked to innovation efforts. The findings underscore a disciplined approach to AI governance, skills development and integration to deliver sustained value beyond experimentation.
Regional benchmarks from the same PwC survey show Qatari leaders exceeding global averages in several AI commitment metrics, including tolerance for innovation risk. This positions local enterprises to leverage partnerships such as the US$20 billion Brookfield collaboration for advanced data centres and computing facilities. The collective momentum reflects alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 priorities through practical technology deployment rather than conceptual exploration alone.
