In the light of the importance of digital transformation and its role in building an advanced technological future, the activities of the second day of Iraqi Tech Week and the 10th edition of the Information Society Forum (I.T.W.) continued, with broad participation from specialists, academics, and experts in the information and communications technology sector.
The opening session of the second day featured two speeches addressing the importance of data and modern technologies in supporting digital development. In his remarks, the President of the University of Information Technology and Communications, Professor Dr. Abbas Mohsen Al-Bakri, emphasized the importance of data accessibility and its pivotal role in advancing artificial intelligence technologies, noting the university’s project aimed at making data available to everyone, as it represents the fundamental fuel for these modern technologies.
Meanwhile, Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), delivered a speech on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, in which she stressed the importance of strengthening digital cooperation and applying technology to serve communities and achieve sustainable development.
The second-day activities included an opening session moderated by Dr. Ali Hassan Tarish, Assistant Dean of the Institute of Informatics for Postgraduate Studies, with the participation of Mr. Ahmed Shaker Al-Saadi, ICT consultant, and Prof. Dr. Bashar Makki Al-Issawi, Professor of Cybersecurity at Al-Mustansiriyah University. The session discussed themes of digital transformation, cybersecurity, and the development of the telecommunications and information technology sector, in addition to the role of academic and governmental institutions in supporting the digital ecosystem in Iraq.
The activities also included several specialized workshops. The first workshop, titled “Telecommunications Technology,” addressed topics related to digital infrastructure, e-government applications, and 5G technologies, with the participation of Eng. Sinan Safaa Diaa, Mr. Yahya Sami Al-Sultani, Dr. Hussein Faleh Al-Sultani, and Dr. Ahmed Talat Hamoudi. It featured technical discussions on the future of telecommunications and digital infrastructure and their role in supporting digital transformation.
The second workshop, titled “Using Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Research,” was presented by Dr. Raghad Al-Shahbandar, who introduced the National Center for Artificial Intelligence. Meanwhile, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ali Hakim and Assist. Prof. Dr. Alaa Hussein discussed mechanisms for employing AI tools in advancing scientific research and enhancing academic innovation.
The afternoon activities of the second day continued with the third workshop, titled “Digital Entrepreneurship”, which explored digital transformation applications in government institutions and technological applications for entrepreneurship. The workshop featured the participation of Ghada Mustafa Ata, Huda Dhari Sati’, Ahmed Qanil Kurdi, and Mr. Fallah Al-Jubouri.
The second-day activities concluded with the fourth workshop, titled “Digital Sovereignty and Cybersecurity,” which addressed the importance of strengthening cybersecurity, protecting digital infrastructure, and the role of digital sovereignty in supporting digital transformation and building a secure and sustainable digital environment in Iraq. The workshop featured the participation of Dr. Hussein Al-Fadhli and Dr. Muntadhar Al-Sabbah, and witnessed notable engagement and interaction from specialists and stakeholders in the field.
