BAGHDAD, Iraq - After graduating from the University of Baghdad, Department of Computer Science, Ahmed al-Azzawi managed, over 15 years, to establish a place for himself in the field of digital competition and achieve advanced positions in the field of artificial intelligence and the information technology revolution. His hard work helped him graduate as one of the top-ranking students in his department, which helped him secure a scholarship to the United States to study advanced technologies and obtain a Ph.D.

After eight years of immersion in work in this field, Ahmed joined a team composed of specialized human minds in the digital field. Together, they founded an artificial intelligence competition aimed at discovering and nurturing the first seeds of creativity in children.

The New Region had an exclusive conversation with Azzawi, deputy head of the National Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Championship in Iraq, who now serves as the official spokesperson for the Founding Council of the Iraqi Programmers Syndicate.

“The training camp for the championship targets students from the age of six to their thirties,” said Azzawi. “Given the varied cognitive abilities of their minds, we follow the STEM educational system, which focuses on four fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.”

“This global system provides students with comprehensive education, preparing them to face modern world challenges and equipping them for their professional futures.”

Azzawi has made significant scientific contributions both locally and regionally. In a short time, he moved beyond merely participating as an innovator to quickly joining the ranks of the judging committees for artificial intelligence championships in Qatar. Later, he advanced toward organizing Arab and international championships, in which Iraq achieved top positions in three competitions held in Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan.

Nineveh’s talent leads the scene

Baraa al-Qazzaz’s name has emerged as one of the best-educated young talents under the supervision of Azzawi. With numerous medals and titles under his belt, Qazzaz, a 17-year-old from Mosul, has invented smart devices using precise algorithms and inputs.

He has participated in high-level competitions, the latest being the World Robot Olympiad in Izmir, Turkey, in December, where he won the bronze medal, declaring that Iraq is not absent from the global stage but rather present to compete strongly.

“I was introduced to artificial intelligence when I was nine years old, thanks to my proper use of the video-sharing platform YouTube,” said Qazzaz. “I watched free educational clips explaining Python, the programming language through which most technical and digital projects are built. I found my passion growing in this field, driving me to enhance my knowledge and push myself to integrate into this community.”

Qazzaz first competed in the National Innovators Forum for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Iraq’s first school-level competition in the field. Nearly 100 scientific projects generated from student ideas were presented during the competition, according to the young whizz.

“My deep study of this field enabled me to develop a smart device for early breast cancer detection, which I presented at the recent competition in Turkey. I would describe it as the toughest competition in the world, being a large-scale event with participation from over 93 countries and more than 3,000 contestants,” he added.

“Thankfully, I managed to secure third place.”

Qazzaz claims that the accuracy rate of the breast cancer detection device he developed is around 99.5 percent.

“It not only displays the percentage of the disease's presence but also the likelihood of its progression in the future, a feature not found in any other global project if compared in terms of accuracy and speed,” he elaborated.

“I consider my project unique because I designed it in a way that breaks societal, environmental, and geographical barriers. It can operate in areas affected by environmental disasters like earthquakes and floods to assist residents, especially women, even if hospital infrastructure is damaged.”

“Additionally, it does not require internet connection to function and is freely available, as my primary goal is humanity and community service,” he concluded.

The competition in Izmir focused on four main aspects: the innovative idea, feasibility of implementation, performance, and the impact of the proposed solution on society.

December’s competition was historic for Iraq, as it marked the country’s first participation in the high-level international contest. Qazzaz’s third place finish represents an unprecedented national achievement, reflecting the genius and creativity of Iraqi individuals and their promising potential in the fields of science and technology.

AI serving plants

In alignment with fostering students' intellectual activities, the Iraqi National Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition was hosted at the Gilgamesh Hall in Babylon Hotel, Baghdad. Among the attendees was Azzawi and a group of students showcasing their scientific creations.

One notable participant was Rimas Ali, a 14-year-old girl from Al-Anbar province. Her passion for technology and mental calculation began when she was just 11 years old. Over the past three years, she has developed several smart devices, the most recent being a device designed to improve plant irrigation. Rimas aspires to become an international entrepreneur.

Localizing AI in Iraq

Iraq is considered one of the lagging countries in artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Most specialists in this field observe that the country is still in its early stages. Many ministries and even some critical institutions struggle with digital advancements due to a lack of expertise and electronic equipment.

However, the Supreme Committee for Artificial Intelligence has a different perspective.

“Our vision for Iraq in the next three years is to be at the forefront of innovation and scientific progress,” Dr. Ammar al-Mohammed, secretary of the Supreme Committee for Artificial Intelligence, told The New Region. “This will be achieved by creating a conducive environment to empower Iraq and position it as a hub for developing skills and creativity in applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with a particular focus on information technology, digital transformation, and cybersecurity.”

“The first step toward the vision of 'AI for All' involves integrating artificial intelligence into academic studies through the curricula of the Ministry of Education and incorporating its concepts and practical requirements into Iraqi universities,” said Mohammed.

“Additionally, there are genuine efforts to provide a laboratory in every school across Iraq. A group of schools in various regions has been selected for this initiative, and if successful, there is a plan to expand it nationwide after financial constraints are addressed.”

Efforts are also underway to establish a dedicated College of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Baghdad. Some private universities have already set up faculties specializing in AI. Moreover, the Ministry of Higher Education envisions establishing a university that gathers top talents with grade point averages above 90 percent to major in humanities and sciences specialties, such as artificial intelligence, sociology, law, and politics, with fierce competition to ensure the institution fosters an elite environment for scientists in these fields.

“The Iraqi government has established special AI clubs in collaboration with the Supreme Youth Council,” said Mohammed. “These clubs will open in January, targeting graduate students who will undergo a one-year training camp to prepare them for global markets, enhance their skills, and nurture their innovations within Iraqi society.”

“Investing wisely in human intellect will elevate Iraq to a leading exporter of talent in artificial intelligence,” he claimed. “In a short period, Iraq can transform into a modern digital market that competes globally, as the nation's economy shifts from being resource-based to knowledge-driven.”

Mohammed stated that more than 40 Iraqis are currently working in major global technology companies as employees and managers.

“We aim to capitalize on these talents within Iraq, not just abroad.”

Regarding expanding AI localization beyond the educational sphere, he explained, “we are working hard, under a comprehensive plan, to integrate all Iraqi ministries into digital modernization. We assess the specific needs of each ministry to tailor solutions accordingly.”

Mohammed also highlighted the importance of international partnerships, stating that they are seeking to benefit from the experiences of advanced countries and apply them in Iraq with the ultimate goal of introducing AI into every Iraqi household.

“This will be achieved through collaboration with the private sector, which will oversee this initiative and become the primary intellectual revenue source for the Iraqi government.”

Mohammed said that the Iraqi government is in close contact with international institutions to establish and AI-related legal framework and keep pace with developments in neighboring countries, but stressed, that “the challenge is that AI evolves rapidly, making it difficult to contain within a static legal framework. We need to resolve this issue and develop an adaptable approach for localization, and we plan to consult judicial authorities to finalize this matter."

Historically, Iraq was a pioneer in AI during the late 1990s and early 2000s, with specialized departments at the University of Technology and the University of Baghdad focusing on AI and automation. However, wars, economic hardships, and sanctions caused significant delays, preventing AI from entering Iraq in a meaningful way until recently.

Two years ago, Iraq was outside the global AI ranking; today, it holds the 77th position worldwide and the 9th position among Arab countries - a commendable achievement for just two years of work.

A threat or a golden opportunity?

“We cannot treat artificial intelligence as a threat to humanity; instead, we must harness it as an opportunity to achieve breakthroughs in various fields of life,” said Hassan Al-Zubaidi, a member of the National Digital Youth Team.

“I believe jobs that do not provide real value must be eliminated. Iraq is one of the countries suffering the most from job redundancy, with tens of thousands of outdated and inefficient government positions. In contrast, the technological advancements in developed nations, which we are missing, show that implementing AI in Iraq will eliminate many jobs. However, it will also create new jobs requiring modern skills, which is a natural outcome of progress over decades. The new generation must prepare themselves for what's coming,” Zubaidi added.

When asked about concerns surrounding AI advancements, Zubaidi noted “the journey of progress in this field is unstoppable, just like other aspects of daily life that have evolved and become normalized over time.”

“However, the real fear arises if AI transitions from its current generative stage to one capable of building artificial neural networks. If AI can create cognitive frameworks independently and with high efficiency, it will gain exceptional capabilities in processing and developing digital awareness. This is the only stage where fears are truly justified.”

“For now, I believe the fear should stem from the individuals behind AI development and usage, not AI itself.”

Zubaidi also pointed out structural issues within Iraq's education system, stating “Iraq produces hundreds of graduates from technological universities every year, yet most lack the expertise and skills needed to engage with the global digital revolution effectively.”

On an institutional level, he said that the Iraqi government has launched initiatives for digital innovation and investment, but stressed that these efforts remain incomplete without collaboration with the private sector, “which itself faces challenges such as funding shortages and difficulties securing loans due to restrictive guarantor requirements, among other obstacles hindering full digital transformation.”

“The potential of human intellect is limitless, and the elite Iraqi minds will shape the country's new economic identity,” said Zubaidi.

“I believe it would be beneficial to eliminate the policy of central employment assignments. This would shift students' focus away from guaranteed jobs to embracing the free market and private sector opportunities,” he suggested.

“If a conducive environment for AI is provided, it will lead to a transformative shift in the mindset of Iraqi youth, enabling them to think creatively and produce goods and services within an intellectual framework that enhances the country's and individuals' realities.”

While the rise of AI raises concerns about its impact on society, particularly fears that it could replace human workers in many fields, it also holds immense potential to improve quality of life and achieve unprecedented milestones.

The dark side of AI

Despite all the benefits that come with the advancement of AI, the progress also carries with it significant challenges.

Hassan Faleh, an expert in information technology and an international trainer stressed that “we cannot ignore the many challenges ahead,” mainly the impact on traditional jobs.”

“In my opinion, all routine jobs are at risk of disappearing, as the main function of artificial intelligence is to eliminate redundancy and simplify excessive steps in government institutions and the private sector,” said Faleh.

“The second challenge is the skills gap, which will emerge due to the increasing demand for advanced technical skills that ordinary people cannot acquire quickly. They will need a long time to develop these skills,” he added.

“In the absence of sufficient experts, major companies may resort to creating robots that operate on commands, which cannot match the flexibility of human labor but will suffice for employers.”

“Another aspect worth mentioning is the economic disparity that will negatively affect Iraqi society. Wealth will concentrate in large, innovative tech companies that heavily depend on AI outputs, such as 'Meta,' which controls global wealth.”

He also highlighted the challenge of adapting human capital, saying "this will require intensive training and continuous development within a sustainable strategic plan to meet labor market demands.”

“Additionally, there will be a loss of job security and a decline in human creativity due to overreliance on smart, ready-made solutions.”

“AI will create numerous jobs, but these opportunities will only be available to those prepared for this phase. Either we board the AI train, or it will crush us. There is no other option."

Tahseen, a technician at a TV station, shared a different perspective.

"My experience working with AI tools has been terrible. Despite paying for premium applications, I found that traditional programming tools for software like Photoshop are more suitable for me. I’m not saying AI is difficult, but working with it lacks the fluidity of manual methods that I can personally oversee,” he said.

The technician believes that AI is tailored to serve specific groups and fields, and claimed that it has overstepped its boundaries and exceeded ethical limits in areas like deception and blackmail. He believes AI has two sides: one to be cautious of and another to admire.

Toward smart dreams

At the end of the exhibition for smart devices, Azzawi stood at the end of the hall, observing his students lined up to showcase their creations. Filled with a fatherly sense of pride, he said with a tone brimming with hope: "Iraq possesses immense talent and numerous elites, but it lacks the support needed to enhance its expertise and compete with nearby advanced nations in this field.”

“We will strive to serve our children and build a future that accommodates their presence, constructing a nation that feels like home among other countries.”