The Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi and Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Seyed Ali Madanizadeh have supported creating new opportunities in the Iran's digital economy with the private sector at its core.
They also reiterated removal of
procedural ambiguities in the regulation governing the issuance of AI operator
licenses, expediting its implementation, and strengthening inter-ministerial cooperation
to develop the government's smart ecosystems.
In a meeting at the ICT Ministry,
Hashemi referred to the division of responsibilities established within the
National AI Headquarters and described the development of AI infrastructure,
with the participation and central role of the private sector, as one of the
Ministry’s principal missions.
“The regulation governing the
issuance of AI operator licenses was the outcome of numerous meetings with
private-sector stakeholders,” he said.
"The implementation of this
regulation will provide the basis for regulation, market formation, and the
development of AI services. It does not conflict in any way with private-sector
activities; rather, it has been drafted with the aim of strengthening the role
of the private sector."
Referring to the regulation's
approval by the Communications Regulatory Commission and the government cabinet,
the ICT Minister added, that 12 companies have declared their readiness to
obtain AI operator licenses.
“However, due to the raising of a
procedural ambiguity, the licensing process has been delayed. We hope that once
this ambiguity is resolved, the issuance of licenses will begin as soon as
possible."
He also referred to the
provisions of the Seventh National Development Plan, particularly Clauses 66
and 107, saying "The Ministry of ICT is obliged to pursue the development
of AI infrastructure within the framework of the Government Cloud. This mission
is currently being implemented by relying on the capacities of the private
sector."
Government Smart Ecosystems
Continuing his remarks, Hashemi
referred to the design of seven smart government service ecosystems, including
the cross-border trade ecosystem and the taxation ecosystem.
“The realization of these two
ecosystems requires close cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and
Finance,” he noted.
Emphasizing that these ecosystems
are not intended to replace the internal processes of government agencies, the
ICT Minister added, "Their purpose is to manage and facilitate
cross-agency services and to eliminate communication bottlenecks among
executive bodies -- an issue that plays a significant role in the development
of smart government and the delivery of integrated and sustainable public
services."
He stressed providing stable,
round-the-clock services, noting that the continuity of service delivery at all
hours of the day is one of the essential requirements for achieving a smart
government and effectively responding to the needs of the public.
Economic Affairs Ministry’s Support
Madanizadeh, Minister of Economic
Affairs and Finance, announced his support for the implementation of the
regulation governing the issuance of AI operator licenses.
"From the standpoint of
substance, we agree with this regulation. The issue that has been raised is
purely procedural in nature and will be resolved in the shortest possible
time."
Emphasizing the need to address
the concerns of the private sector, he proposed that the process of issuing AI
operator licenses proceed in parallel with the resolution of the procedural
ambiguity in the regulation, so that implementation of the initiative can move
forward more rapidly.
“The Ministry of Economic Affairs
and Finance is ready to cooperate in the development of the cross-border trade
and taxation ecosystems,” he noted.