Web Summit Opens in Qatar with a Spotlight on AI and Global Entrepreneurship

For the first time in the Middle East, a leading tech conference is bridging global entrepreneurs and investors.

Doha, Qatar – As the cityscape glimmered, a convergence of entrepreneurs, investors, and influential figures in business gathered in Doha with the commencement of Web Summit, a preeminent technology convention, marking its debut in the region.

The event auspiciously unites international attendees with the shared goal of forging partnerships, exchanging expertise, and attracting investments over a bustling four-day agenda.

The inauguration featured an announcement by the Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, detailing a substantial investment exceeding $1 billion by the nation's sovereign wealth fund into diverse venture capital funds globally and regionally under a 'Fund of Funds' initiative. This strategic move is set to catalyze the innovation milieu, drawing top venture capitalists and creative minds to Qatar and the broader Gulf vicinity, amplifying Qatar's vision of becoming a pivotal information technology hub.

The Prime Minister extolled Qatar as an 'entrepreneurship leadership across the Middle East' and highlighted the Web Summit's alignment with Qatar's technological ambition and its dynamic ecosystem of innovators.

AI Dominates Discussions

The central theme of this year's summit is artificial intelligence, spotlighting it amidst a diverse palette of startup ventures presenting at the most significant technological congregation in the Middle East. Current geopolitical events also resonate during the summit, bringing additional gravity to discussions beyond technological prospects.

Jordanian-American CEO and founder of the online coding community Replit, Amjad Masad, vocalized a resonant message on technology's potential for positive impact; yet, he poignantly differentiated it from crises such as the Gaza conflict, emphasizing technology's limits in addressing humanitarian distress.

Additionally, Trevor Noah, known for his tenure on 'The Daily Show' and investments in tech, was a star speaker. He holds a role as 'Chief Questions Officer' at Microsoft, leading discussions on AI's role in tackling global challenges.

Noah's speeches probed the intersection of technology and humanity, proposing a shift in focus from whether tech could replace humans, to how AI might redefine human endeavors.

Connecting for Global Impact

The corridors of the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center have transformed into vibrant networking avenues, with innovative interaction via QR code scans supplanting traditional business card exchanges.

Among the myriad participants are 'impact start-ups' dedicated to leveraging tech advancements in healthcare and sustainable solutions. Young professionals like Zeyad Genena from Hydro One express enthusiasm for exploring AI's applications in energy and beyond.

Moving stories of progress include Heidi Rus from Everest, who is attending to secure funds for her company's project on water plants in Bangladesh, and Arezu Aghasey from venture capital firm Crea, who is building cross-regional business pathways, mirroring her evolution from a scholar to an investor at the summit.

innovation, entreprenuership, AI