Iran scientific VP says development of AI ‘a priority’

Iran is taking serious measures to bridge the gap in artificial intelligence with other countries, the Iranian Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy says.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the Next National Technology Award in the Iranian capital Tehran, the scientific vice president Hossein Afshin said Iran is devising a roadmap and strategic planning for artificial intelligence to develop the relevant infrastructure and software, attract investments, and allocate funds to the field.

Citing the promotion of AI-driven technology as one of the most significant priorities of the scientific vice presidency, he said, “Paying serious attention to the development of artificial intelligence and balanced development in the components of the growth of technology are among the priorities of the scientific office.”

Afshin also said that the Next Technological Award is the symbol of the government and industry’s trust in the academic centers for the development of technology and provides the basis for supporting the universities. 

“The government supports the industries and companies in order to use the capacity of science and universities in research and development and to expand it, and in this sense, I consider the Next Award a symbol of the government and industries’ trust in universities and science,” he explained.