April, May, June and July Activities
Activities for April, May, June, and July
University of Technology
In collaboration with the Higher Council for Youth, the office, represented by Dr. Taha Ahmed Alawi and Dr. Raghad Al-Shabandar, participated in an open student day as part of the Tarabot program held at the University of Technology on April 24, 2024. The event was attended by the university president, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghaban, along with several esteemed professors and students.
Dr. Taha Ahmed Alawi delivered a lecture on the applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, science, and economics, discussing its role in societal growth and real-world implementation.
He also stated that the office is in the preparatory phase of establishing three artificial intelligence clubs in Baghdad, distributed across Rusafa, Karkh, and Sadr City. He emphasized that these digital clubs would represent a qualitative leap in educating youth on the concepts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, thereby preparing a generation with advanced technical skills.
Wasit University
On April 25, 2024, the office participated in the Third Scholarship Forum at Wasit University, attended by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Haider Abdul Dhahd, and the university president, Professor Dr. Mazen Hassan Al-Hasani.
Professor Diaa Al-Jumaili delivered a lecture titled “Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies,” detailing the skills needed to prepare a generation capable of keeping pace with this revolution, which will contribute to building an entrepreneurial society.
The office team also participated in a discussion session titled “The Role of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Building a Knowledge Economy,” where they discussed the office’s plans and visions for creating an economy based on knowledge, education, innovation, and scientific research to advance Iraq’s economy and create new job opportunities.
Recommendations:
- Work towards establishing a smart agriculture college and providing facilities for students through agreements with the government to allocate agricultural lands and financial support.
Workshop by the Generations Foundation for Technological Empowerment
The office participated as a keynote speaker in a scientific symposium at Diyala University on April 29, 2024. Professor Diaa Al-Jumaili presented a lecture titled “AI Projects for the Preservation of Historical Sites and Archaeological Excavations.”
The lecture covered topics on how AI can enhance religious tourism and assist in uncovering archaeological sites.
Additionally, Dr. Ammar Hussein and Dr. Raghad Al-Shabandar participated in a discussion on the importance of AI in discovering Sumerian and Assyrian civilizations, which helps preserve the country’s historical heritage.
Recommendations:
- Form a committee to establish a smart agriculture college as a leading institution with an advanced teaching faculty.
- Agreement with the university president to provide the office with the current curriculum.
- Collaboration with universities to integrate AI into curricula, with a plan proposed by Dr. Tahseen (Head of the Deans’ Committee on Sciences and Curricula).
Ashur University
On April 27, 2024, a lecture titled “The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Risks of AI” was delivered at the College of Engineering, Ashur University, in the presence of the university president, Professor Dr. Kazem Aboud Al-Majidi, along with his deputies, deans, and students.
Professor Al-Jumaili highlighted the importance of students learning Fourth Industrial Revolution skills, which extend from Baghdad’s historical innovations. He also discussed the risks of generative AI and the office’s future plans to mitigate them.
Recommendations:
- Establish a smart agriculture college in collaboration with Diyala, Wasit, and Fallujah universities.
Fallujah University
On April 29, 2024, a meeting was held with the university president, Professor Dr. Ahmed Salman Hamad, along with the vice president for academic affairs, Professor Dr. Salman Barak, and several deans.
The meeting discussed the need to develop the College of Agriculture into a smart agriculture college, as student enrollment in this field has been declining due to a lack of incentives. Al-Jumaili proposed future plans to attract more students to agricultural studies.
Recommendations:
- Establish a smart agriculture college in collaboration with Diyala, Wasit, and Ashur universities.
Alpha Generation and Financial Inclusion Workshop
On May 2, 2024, the office, represented by Professor Diaa Al-Jumaili, participated in a workshop led by the Generations Foundation for Technological Empowerment at Al-Shaab University.
The workshop discussed Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in facilitating financial transactions. Al-Jumaili gave a lecture on the importance of this revolution in advancing the financial sector and praised the role of the Central Bank in achieving financial inclusion through electronic payments, which will enhance global commercial transactions.
AI in Humanities Conference
On May 5, 2024, the office participated in the AI and Digital Transformation in Humanities Conference at the University of Baghdad. The event was attended by Minister of Higher Education Dr. Naim Al-Aboudi, Deputy Minister Dr. Haider Abdul Dhahd, University President Dr. Baha Ibrahim, along with deans and professors.
Professor Al-Jumaili joined a panel discussion with Dr. Haider Abdul Dhahd and Dr. Youssef Khalaf to explore AI opportunities and challenges in various fields.
Baghdad International Water Conference
From April 27-29, 2024, the office, represented by Professor Mahmoud Saleh, participated in the Fourth Baghdad International Water Conference at Babel Hotel.
In a panel titled “Smart Water Resource Management Using AI as an Adaptive Response to Climate Change,” Dr. Saleh discussed how AI and smart barriers can optimize water resource management through machine learning algorithms to address climate challenges.
He also proposed a future plan for building a smart barrier on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, similar to the Thames Barrier in London, to safeguard water quality and mitigate salinity intrusion.
AI Forum in Tikrit
On May 13, 2024, the office participated in the first AI forum at Tikrit University, attended by university president Dr. Waad Mahmoud Raouf, Dean of the College of Sciences Dr. Abdul Khaliq Alwan, and other faculty members and students.
Dr. Raghad Al-Shabandar presented a lecture titled “Using AI in Building a Knowledge Economy,” emphasizing the importance of students acquiring Fourth Industrial Revolution skills to enter local and global job markets.
Honoring AI Competition Winners
Under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, a ceremony was held to honor the winners of the Codeavour global AI and programming competition in Dubai (May 3-6, 2024) and the Arab Robotics and AI Championship in Jordan (April 26-28, 2024).
Dr. Hussein Flamers presented the awards on behalf of the Prime Minister and emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering innovation through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
Erbil AI Conference
The office played a key role in organizing and managing the First International AI Conference in Erbil on June 1, 2024. The conference aimed to make AI accessible to everyone, prevent monopolization, and integrate global AI advancements into Iraq’s development.
Key Recommendations:
- Support the Iraqi government’s AI initiatives, ensuring transparency and national development.
- Develop a legislative framework for AI, facilitating regulatory policies.
- Encourage AI use across industries, including healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing.
- Integrate AI into education and establish dedicated AI departments.
- Hold AI conferences in Basra and Baghdad as initial steps for broader AI adoption.
AI for Women Initiative
A new initiative was launched in collaboration with Dr. Shahbaa Al-Azzawi, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Women’s Affairs, to provide AI training courses for women, enhancing their digital skills.
Remote Surgery Using AI
Dr. Muhannad Al-Ansari performed the first AI-assisted remote surgery in Baghdad and the Middle East, successfully removing a pancreatic tumor using AI, virtual reality, and telemedicine technologies. The operation was conducted via a digital connection between Al-Zaytoun Hospital in Baghdad and a metaverse hospital in the USA.
Collaboration with ESCWA
The office collaborated with ESCWA experts to advance Iraq’s AI policies in alignment with sustainable development goals.
Ministry of Education Meeting
Discussions were held with the Ministry of Education to:
- Establish AI and robotics clubs in select Baghdad schools.
- Develop an AI curriculum for Iraqi schools.