Prime Minister Participates in Discussion Panel at Opening of WSJ Tech Live Qatar 2025

Doha, December 02 (QNA) - Hosted for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Tech Live Qatar 2025 kicked off on Tuesday in the presence of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.
The Tech Live conference is the key technology event organized by the Wall Street Journal. It constitutes a high-level global platform to discuss the accelerating role of technology in shaping the future of business, regulatory policies, and innovation. It is attended by more than 200 leading figures, including top CEOs listed in the Fortune 500, investors, and leaders from the technology, media, entertainment, and finance sectors from around the world.
The conference program began with a panel discussion with HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, moderated by CEO of Dow Jones, publisher of the Wall Street Journal, Almar Latour, which addressed the paths of digital transformation, economic diversification and the role of technology in enhancing the competitiveness of various sectors in the State of Qatar.
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said that over the past decades, the State of Qatar has become famous for its role as a link between East and West, and a regional center in the fields of logistics, aviation, politics, diplomacy and mediation, as well as its influential presence in the energy sector through access to various countries around the world. Qatar is pleased that Doha is the first stop for this conference outside the United States, which reflects the country's aspirations to enhance the diversification of its economy and consolidate a culture of innovation.
His Excellency added that Qatar has hosted a series of technology events recently, from the Mobile World Congress to the Web Summit, which Qatar hosted for two consecutive years and is preparing to host again next year. Qatar's goal in creating these platforms is to bring together participants from across the region and attract others from the United States, Europe, and Latin America to learn about what Asia and Africa have to offer in this field.
His Excellency indicated that diversifying the national economy and making it more flexible and dynamic is one of the most important priorities. He noted that although Qatar is known as a hydrocarbon economy, data from recent years show that non-hydrocarbon sectors are now leading growth, which is what Qatar has been working on for many years. He pointed out at the same time that the Qatar Investment Authority is one of the most important tools in this path, at the level of diversifying sources of income and expanding the base of the economy towards new sectors.
His Excellency also affirmed the State of Qatar's endeavor to establish a strong foundation in the technology sector, as a sector that enables various other sectors. He said that considering the essential sectors in people's daily lives, such as health, education, logistics and financial services, they can be enhanced through technological empowerment. As a country, Qatar aspires to become a service economy and a leader in the field of technology.
His Excellency indicated that during the past decades, the State of Qatar has been able to build national entities that have a global presence; Qatar Airways has emerged as a prestigious international brand in the aviation sector, Qatar Energy has become a global player in the field of gas supplies, Qatar National Bank continues its presence extending to Southeast Asia, and Ooredoo operates in more than 20 countries.
His Excellency said that despite Qatar's small size, its impact on the global stage has been very influential. Today, adding a technological dimension to this landscape will enhance and develop Qatar's economic performance, and building national entities in this sector is a priority for it. This makes it easier for Qatar to develop the digital infrastructure and make it a technology-friendly environment, in addition to the fact that the country's 5G network is among the most advanced globally. Leveraging these capabilities will bring about broad transformations in people's lives, in the course of business, and in various fields.
His Excellency added that the Qatar Investment Authority's investments in technology companies abroad are one of the tools that will contribute to building an integrated environment within the country that allows the technology sector to flourish, thus enhancing the ability of local companies to grow and compete globally.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that artificial intelligence will become an inevitable necessity, not just an option, within the next two years, indicating that Qatar has already begun to adopt these technologies within government agencies.
In this regard, His Excellency added that Qatar has signed agreements with international companies to develop AI applications for public services. Qatar hopes to develop 50 AI-powered government services by 2029. Qatar is also working on introducing fundamental transformations in sectors where it has leading national entities, such as the aviation sector, to explore how AI can reshape this sector. 
For his part, CEO of Dow Jones Almar Latour affirmed that the State of Qatar plays a pivotal role in developing the field of artificial intelligence in the region, noting that this is one of the reasons for organizing the Wall Street Journal Tech Live Conference (WSJ Tech Live) in Qatar to collectively anticipate the contours of the future.
Latour said at the opening of the Wall Street Journal Tech Live Qatar 2025 conference, hosted by Qatar for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa, that in the coming days, all will witness the benefits of this event and the impact of the journalism provided by the Wall Street Journal, which has become increasingly important recently, adding that all will also certainly see Qatar's passion for investing in the industry of the future.
Today, he added, all stand at a rising global convergence point that brings together capital, technology, and talent, both in this region and beyond. Anyone who has visited this country realizes that Qatar has become a hub for education, technology, arts, architecture, and sports, and even more achievements lie ahead in the future.
Over the course of the three-day conference, a series of high-level sessions will be held, with the participation of a select group of top global business leaders and investors, including tennis legend Serena Williams, founder and CEO of Fanatics Michael Rubin, CEO of United Talent Agency David Kramer, founder and CEO of Authentic Brands Group Jimmy Salter, co-founder of Reddit and founder and general partner of Seven Seven Six, Alexis Ohanian, and chairman and CEO of A-Rod Corp and co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Alex Rodriguez.
The main discussion topics cover a number of issues shaping the future of the digital industry, including the future of sports, gaming, and media; the future of privacy, regulation, and consumer trust; and the development of talent, media, and entertainment. The sessions will also highlight the latest innovations in the future of fintech, cryptocurrencies, and digital currencies, in addition to reviewing transformations in the future of space and defense technologies.
The Tech Live conference is held within a long-term strategic partnership between the Government Communications Office and Dow Jones, reflecting international confidence in Qatar as a pivotal destination for hosting major specialized global events, and providing local companies and talents the opportunity to access a global network of decision-makers, investors, and technology pioneers. (QNA)