Iran’s new AI platform is structured across four integrated layers; a specialised data centre to host advanced AI equipment, a comprehensive software framework to manage resources, a network linking natural language – to businesses, researchers, and the general public. Together, these components lay the foundation for a system that goes beyond experimentation and positions Iran to embed AI directly into governance, industry, and daily life.

AI as a Tool of Governance and Policy

One of the most ambitious aspects of the initiative lies in its application to policymaking. Iranian officials have announced the development of design assistants capable of analysing laws and regulations before they are implemented. These AI assistants help predict the economic and social effects of government decisions by modelling the possible outcomes to aid in reducing contradictions in legislation and improving overall efficiency.

Iran faces a maze of domestic and international challenges, and its bureaucracy is often weighed down by inefficiencies and overlapping regulations. Bringing AI into governance could help cut through that red tape, speeding up decision-making while making processes more transparent and accountable. This initiative is more than just a technology upgrade, it marks a move toward evidence-based governance, where data and technology support, rather than replace, human judgment in tackling everything from economic reform to better public services.

Importantly, the platform has been implemented in phases with universities playing a central role in collecting, verifying, and analysing legislative documents. This not only grounds the system in academic precision but also demonstrates a deliberate effort to involve knowledge institutions in the practical work of governance.

Building a National AI Ecosystem

The launch of the AI platform reflects Iran’s broader vision of creating a self-sustaining digital ecosystem. Sanctions and restricted access to international technologies have forced Iran to be innovative in many ways and now it’s pouring out into tech-governance. By investing in a secure data infrastructure and advanced research capabilities, Iran is seeking to cultivate an AI sector that can thrive independently of global supply chains.

Universities like Sharif University of Technology have been instrumental in developing the platform, bridging the gap between academic research and practical applications. Their involvement ensures that the system evolves with both theoretical depth and real-world usability. The inclusion of a specialised AI studio opens the door for entrepreneurs, businesses, and researchers to experiment with tools that would otherwise remain inaccessible due to geopolitical restrictions.

For Iranian industries, the platform could unlock new efficiencies. In agriculture, AI-driven predictive models may help farmers better manage resources, improve crop yields, and respond to climate variability. In medicine, AI could support diagnostic processes, making healthcare delivery more effective even in underserved areas. Similarly, public services could be digitised, improving access and reducing delays for citizens. By providing these capabilities domestically, Iran reduces its dependence on imported technologies while fostering a culture of innovation at home.

Shaping a Sovereign Digital Future

Iran’s new AI project matters well beyond its borders. Around the world, questions about data security, digital sovereignty, and AI ethics are dominating headlines — and Iran is showing how a country with limited resources can still find its own path. By choosing self-reliance, it’s taking control of its digital future instead of depending on foreign tech providers, which often comes with political and economic risks.

The challenges are real. Iran’s tech sector will need a much larger skilled workforce, global estimates suggest over 85 million AI specialists will be needed by 2030 (World Economic Forum), while countries like Iran face serious brain drain. Limited access to international markets and research networks also slows progress. Still, political will is strong, and that matters. The government has already earmarked over $1 billion in AI-related investments by 2030, aiming to capture part of what PwC predicts will be a $15.7 trillion boost to the global economy from AI by that year.

For comparison, the UAE plans to make AI contribute 14% of its GDP by 2030, while Saudi Arabia is targeting 12.4%. Iran’s numbers will be smaller, but if it succeeds in creating a homegrown platform, it could become a model for other Global South economies that don’t want to rely entirely on foreign providers. Countries like Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia are facing similar dilemmas of growing their own AI ecosystems, or risk long-term dependency.

By building its own infrastructure, weaving AI into governance, and nurturing a local ecosystem, Iran is laying a foundation for AI to be both a driver of domestic growth and a symbol of resilience. If it works, Iran could inspire other emerging economies to follow a similar path, proving that innovation isn’t limited to the world’s biggest players.

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