Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, and in the presence of the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Ali Al-Alaq, the University of Information Technology and Communications, in cooperation with the University of Al-Mostaqbal, held the Third Annual Iraqi Artificial Intelligence Forum under the slogan “Keep up with artificial intelligence today and contribute to shaping the future.” In his speech, His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, pointed out the importance of participating in this scientific gathering. He stressed the Ministry’s interest in enhancing the path of AI by establishing specialized colleges, departments, and research centers, along with supporting the improvement of curricula and integrating them into academic programs for undergraduate and graduate studies. He also announced launching the Artificial Intelligence Award in Scientific Research, establishing Artificial Intelligence Engineering Clubs, and establishing specialized laboratories in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Al-Aboudi added that the rapid growth in the field of artificial intelligence requires keeping pace with the requirements of this development while harnessing its potential in education, learning, and anticipating the future. He stressed that these efforts come within the framework of the comprehensive digital transformation launched by the Prime Minister on February 17, 2025, pointing out that the forum highlights the achievements of the artificial intelligence environment and sponsors talents and innovators in this field. For his part, the President of the University of Information Technology and Communications, Prof. Dr. Abbas Mohsen Al-Bakri, stressed that AI is witnessing rapid growth, which requires applied initiatives to keep pace with these changes. He mentioned that the forum, which was launched in its first edition in 2022, aims to foster creativity and competition through the Artificial Intelligence Developers Award and honor the makers of success stories.
He also revealed the formation of a team to build applications that support the Arabic language and analyze meaning through the Computer Center and the Smart Cities Division, stressing that the forum is open to sponsoring talents and innovations from all over Iraq. The forum witnessed a presentation of success stories and inspiring experiences in AI applications, in addition to honoring the best three projects for artificial intelligence developers. A dialogue session was also held on the visions of experts on the future of AI, and an exhibition of equipment and applications in this field was held as well. In the end, the results of the Artificial Intelligence Competition were announced and the winners were honored with financial prizes and the Excellence Shield, in addition to honoring the owners of success stories, participating companies, and the evaluation and arbitration committees.