On February 23, the government of Qatar signed a five-year agreement with AI data company Scale AI to enhance government services in the Gulf Arab state. According to a senior executive at Scale AI, the partnership aims to implement AI-powered tools and training.
Trevor Thompson, the company's global head of growth, believes that the deal could serve as a model for other governments globally. He expressed confidence in the potential for significant impact and faster progress through this collaboration.
The agreement will enable Qatar's government to integrate predictive analytics, automation, and advanced data analysis to streamline its operations. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar released a statement outlining the objectives of the partnership.
As part of the deal, Scale AI will develop more than 50 potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) for Qatar's government during the next five years. However, Thompson did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.
Qatar, renowned for its wealth from gas production and historical alignment with the U.S., is striving to establish itself as a prominent player in the field of AI. The competition in this endeavor is intensifying, notably from neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Established in 2016, Scale AI provides accurately labeled datasets for training tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The company also supports its clients, which include tech giant Microsoft, financial institution Morgan Stanley, and AI firms like OpenAI and Cohere, in creating and refining datasets for various applications.