Iran aims to become a top AI superpower, as noted by Mohammad Mokhber, but faces major challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, significant brain drain, and geopolitical isolation. Its ambitions contrast sharply with the realities of its current technological landscape and requires substantial reforms to be viable.
In the global quest for supremacy in artificial intelligence (AI), Iran’s aspiration to position itself among the top ten AI superpowers is both ambitious and optimistic. During the recent international conference on ‘AI and Future Civilization,’ Mohammad Mokhber, Special Assistant to the Supreme Leader of Iran, highlighted this vision, expressing Iran’s desire to transition from an AI consumer to a global developer. However, the current infrastructure, challenges in human capital, and geopolitical conditions present considerable obstacles to achieving those aims.
While Mokhber’s vision stresses the importance of empowering youth, enhancing education, and fostering tech startups, the realities on the ground reflect significant deficiencies. According to the Government AI Readiness Index 2024, Iran ranks 94th out of 193 countries, lagging far behind regional leaders such as the UAE, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, thereby demonstrating a lack of competitive edge in the pursuit of technological leadership.
The disparity between Iran’s grand ambitions and its existing infrastructure is pronounced. Critical elements such as high-speed internet, stable energy supply, and advanced R&D facilities are necessary for achieving AI success. Unlike AI frontrunners like the United States and China, which allocate vast resources to cloud computing and R&D, Iran’s fragmented digital ecosystem and inconsistent policy implementation hinder its progress.
To delve further, the state of data and computing infrastructure in Iran is inadequate for AI development. Slow internet speeds, restricted access to international resources, and a lack of cloud computing facilities impede research. Furthermore, stringent international export controls limit Iran’s ability to acquire essential semiconductors and advanced processors, which restricts the country’s potential in high-performance computing.
A critical concern for Iran’s AI objectives is the significant loss of human capital. With around 180,000 educated professionals emigrating annually, many of Iran’s brightest minds are seeking opportunities abroad, leaving a void in the local tech ecosystem. Political repression, economic instability, and limited research opportunities drive this brain drain, resulting in a diminished capacity for innovation.
Energy shortages also pose a significant challenge. Despite being rich in natural gas reserves, Iran faces severe electricity deficits, impacting its ability to sustain AI systems reliant on constant power supply. Frequent power outages and economic mismanagement exacerbate this energy crisis, impeding the development of data centers essential for AI advancement.
R&D is another critical area where Iran struggles. While the country allocated $115 million to AI research in January 2025, this amount is minuscule compared to the multi-billion-dollar budgets of leading AI nations. Iran lags behind in scientific output, limited by insufficient international collaborations and funding, which further inhibits technological advancements.
The private sector in Iran, crucial for the application of AI innovations, remains constrained. Although knowledge-based firms exist, they face multiple barriers, such as sanctions that impede international partnerships and limit access to modern technologies. Without considerable investment and structural reforms, the private sector is unlikely to develop the required dynamism to compete globally.
Geopolitically, Iran’s isolation jeopardizes its AI ambitions, restricting collaboration avenues and technology access. The imposition of sanctions limits foreign investment and involvement in the global AI community, further entrenching the divide between technological leaders and laggards.
In summary, Iran’s aspiration to become a leading AI superpower is commendably ambitious, yet it faces substantial challenges. These include a lack of adequate infrastructure, significant brain drain, energy crises, underfunded research and development, and geopolitical barriers. Without comprehensive reforms and international collaboration, Iran risks relegating its AI ambitions to mere political rhetoric. The potential for AI supremacy necessitates a calculated and realistic approach that integrates various sectors and addresses existing shortcomings.
Original Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
