Today, artificial intelligence, as one of the most influential technologies in the world, has been able to transform various industries and become a key tool for decision-making and governance. Meanwhile, Iran, which is facing many economic, social and political challenges, has a unique opportunity to use this technology to improve its position in the international arena.
In a conference on the role of artificial intelligence in foreign policy, “Mahmoud Saree-ul-Qalam”, a prominent professor of political science, presented a detailed analysis of Iran’s needs to enter the world arena. Emphasizing the need for political stability and updating economic and social structures, he considered artificial intelligence as an irreplaceable tool for changing Iran’s position in the world.
The necessity of entering global corridors
One of the main axes of Zareel-Qalam’s speech was emphasizing Iran’s presence in global corridors. He believes: “All Iran’s problems, from economic to political and social, will be solved only if the country becomes an active actor in the international arena. According to him, artificial intelligence is an exceptional opportunity that, if used correctly, can take Iran out of its current isolation.
Criticizing the current approaches, Saril al-Qalam said: “This world is a world of capabilities, not ideals.” Countries have a share in global equations according to their GDP and technological capabilities. “Without access to accurate figures and data, we cannot have an effective presence in the international environment.”
artificial intelligence; From decision-making to economic transformation
In explaining the importance of artificial intelligence, Zareel-ul-Qalam described it as a tool that plays a role in decision-making and improving efficiency beyond providing information.
He further added: “Artificial intelligence also has many applications in governance. From analyzing data to predict events to designing macro policies, this technology can improve the nation’s decision-making. But to achieve these benefits, strong infrastructure and political stability are needed; “Issues that have not been properly resolved in Iran.”
Structural problems and the necessity of political stability
One of the key points of Zareel Qalam’s speech was a criticism of Iran’s structural problems. He pointed out the weakness in correct global understanding and insufficient use of international opportunities. According to his opinion, Iran is still stuck in the ideals of the past and has not been able to coordinate its view with the developments of the world.
Zareel al-Qalam also emphasized: “Political stability is a prerequisite for any kind of progress.” Referring to his studies at the World Bank, he said: “The first criterion for evaluating any country is its stability.” “Without stability, foreign investment, absorption of new technologies and economic growth will not be possible.”
artificial intelligence; A tool for sustainable development
In addition to helping decision-making, artificial intelligence can play an effective role in the sustainable development of countries. “This technology is also used in fields such as health, education and natural resource management,” explained Zareel-ul-Qalam. He pointed to an example of a country like the UAE, which has been able to optimize the management of its oil resources by using artificial intelligence and even connect oil wells to digital systems.
He noted: “If Iran cannot use this technology, a deep gap will be created between the country and its neighbors.” Middle power countries such as Türkiye, Malaysia and the UAE have been able to strengthen their role in the global economy by investing in artificial intelligence. “Iran should also take this path by reviewing its approaches.”
Challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in Iran
Although artificial intelligence provides countless opportunities for Iran, it cannot be exploited without careful planning and removing existing obstacles. Zareel al-Qalam mentioned three main factors in this regard:
- Data: Collecting and managing data is a prerequisite for using artificial intelligence. Iran is facing serious deficiencies in this field.
- Technological infrastructure: The development of advanced hardware and software requires large investments.
- Specialist human resources: Training the workforce to design and manage artificial intelligence systems is a necessity, and Iran is still lagging behind in this field.
artificial intelligence; A stimulus to reduce costs and increase productivity
One of the focal points of Sareel-e-Qalam’s speech in this conference was the role of artificial intelligence in reducing operating costs and increasing productivity in various sectors. He explained: “Major companies such as Amazon and FedEx have been able to not only increase the speed of their services by using artificial intelligence, but also drastically reduce the side costs.
He pointed to an example of a research company that previously used hundreds of engineers and researchers to analyze scientific texts, but with the development of advanced artificial intelligence software, the need for these forces has been reduced to a minimum. This company has been able to reduce its costs by hiring non-technical and simpler workers and at the same time provide better output.
According to Saril al-Qalam, the use of artificial intelligence in Iran can create a great transformation in the productivity of public and private organizations. “In many countries, intelligent systems have replaced repetitive and time-consuming processes,” he explained. For example, automated customer response at American insurance companies has saved billions of dollars in operational costs.
Legal and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence
Along with countless opportunities, artificial intelligence also brings its own challenges. “Many countries have not yet created the necessary legal and ethical frameworks to manage this technology,” Saril al-Qalam emphasized. He pointed to a problem that has arisen as a result of the rampant development of artificial intelligence in the world: privacy violations and misuse of data.
He also warned: “Without clear regulations, artificial intelligence can become a tool for unfair controls or even digital dictatorship.” Before entering this field widely, Iran should formulate comprehensive laws compatible with international standards in order to prevent possible abuses.
An example of the success of neighboring countries
To show the importance of investing in artificial intelligence, Zareel Al-Qalam pointed to the actions of the UAE. He explained: “This country has been able to become one of the pioneers in this field by employing the best global experts and creating a strong infrastructure.”
“For example, the UAE has just started a program to connect all of its oil wells to digital systems,” he explained. With the help of artificial intelligence, these systems can monitor the condition of the wells in real time and reduce the need for human resources. In addition, the UAE has appointed a minister of artificial intelligence and is conducting free training courses for all its citizens.”
Referring to this example, Saree-ul-Qalam said that Iran can also reduce its distance from global developments by investing in technology and using the experiences of successful countries. He emphasized that for this work, not only financial resources are needed, but also a change of perspective and a review of policies.
The effect of artificial intelligence on Iran’s foreign policy
Artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for Iran’s foreign policy. Zareel-e-Qalam believes: “This technology makes it possible to analyze big data and make more accurate predictions of international events.” He pointed to an example of the actions of the Obama administration, which for the first time used artificial intelligence in the design of election strategies.
He added: “Any country that can use artificial intelligence efficiently will be more successful in its macro decision-making. This technology can affect various aspects of foreign policy, including analyzing the behavior of other countries, managing negotiations, and even increasing bargaining power.”
Consequences of ignoring artificial intelligence
Warning about the consequences of lagging behind this technology, Saril al-Qalam said: “Countries that do not use artificial intelligence will not only lag behind the world’s economic and scientific developments in the future, but will also be marginalized in foreign policy.”
He pointed to middle power countries such as Brazil, Malaysia and Türkiye that have been able to strengthen their capacities by using artificial intelligence. According to him, if Iran cannot enter this area, a deep gap will be created between it and other countries in the region.
The future that awaits us
In this conference, Mahmoud Sareeul-Qalam drew a picture of a future in which artificial intelligence has become one of the essential components of governance, foreign policy and global economy. He emphasized: “In order to take advantage of this unique opportunity, Iran must review its internal structures, establish political stability and effective international interactions.”
He concluded: “Artificial intelligence is not only a technological tool; Rather, it is a strategic tool to change the position of countries in the world. If Iran wants to succeed in this direction, it must move away from idealism and move towards pragmatism and innovation.
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