IPEC Calls for Ministry or Authority for Artificial Intelligence

 
Baghdad – INA
The Iraqi Political Economic Center –IPEC on Saturday, has urged the government to consider establishing a dedicated ministry or independent authority for artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting AI’s potential to reshape critical sectors across the nation.
 
Wissam Hadmal Al-Hilu, Director of the Center, stated in a press release received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “the rapid global progress in AI and technology demands that Iraq consider a specialised ministry or independent body for AI. Such an entity could fundamentally impact various sectors integral to Iraqi citizens’ lives.”
 
Al-Hilu outlined key pillars for this proposal, including the use of upcoming census data and extensive institutional statistics across sectors.
 He suggested that AI would drive advances in education, commerce, industry, telecommunications, tourism, and finance—facilitating electronic payments, financial transfers, business registration, and broader automation across Iraq’s public and private sectors.
 
He emphasized the need for collaboration among ministries, state bodies, and the private sector to minimise any budget impact, suggesting a reliance on skilled personnel already within government. 

Al-Hilu also encouraged the support of media across all formats to develop public awareness, making AI accessible and understandable to citizens.
 
Al-Hilu noted that an AI-focused authority could enhance Iraq’s national security while mitigating risks associated with technology misuse, such as fraud, cyber crime, and content manipulation. He underscored the importance of aligning Iraq with global technology trends, particularly in AI, to secure a stable and progressive future for the nation.