Iran has taken a bold step towards boosting its technological capabilities by launching its first national open-source artificial intelligence platform in Tehran. This initiative isn’t just about tech—it’s about setting a strong foundation for the country’s future in AI development. Backed by the Iranian Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, along with top academics and experts, this platform has been in the works since October 2023.
The excitement was palpable at the ‘Pioneers of Progress’ exhibition where the project was unveiled. Even the Supreme Leader was present, underscoring Iran’s dedication to advancing in AI technology. Hosseini Asadi, who heads the Rapid Processing Center and represents Sharif University, shared some insights. He pointed out that Iran has faced challenges in AI, like a lack of patents, publications, and active companies over the past decade. These hurdles were largely due to limited investment in hardware infrastructure and not having a dedicated platform to work from.
To tackle these issues, a strategic market design was rolled out, focusing on developing this platform. Knowledge-based companies played a significant role in this effort. Sharif University has been leading the charge, coordinating eight centers, projects, and faculties. This involved around 100 people, each bringing their unique technical expertise to the table.
Looking ahead, Asadi mentioned that a more stable version of the national AI platform is expected within a year. This is just the beginning for Iran as it gears up for more advancements in artificial intelligence. It’s an exciting time, and this platform could very well be the key to unlocking further innovation.
