--- eventsindex_id: EI-06788 slug: world-summit-ai-qatar-2026 title: "World Summit AI Qatar" title_alt: [] canonical_url: https://eventsindex.org/events/world-summit-ai-qatar-2026.html next_edition_dates: "2026-12-15 to 2026-12-16" next_edition_year: 2026 date_start: 2026-12-15 date_end: 2026-12-16 venue: "Doha Exhibition and Convention Center" city: "Doha" country: "Qatar" organiser: "InspiredMinds (World Summit AI franchise)" organiser_url: "https://qatar.worldsummit.ai/" b2b: true vector: sector: [ia-data] audience: [enterprise-leaders, researchers, policymakers, investors, startups] format: [in-person] purpose: [networking] geography_scope: [regional-gcc] season: winter meta_description: "" editorial_take: "" generated_by: "enrich/generators/fiche_md.py" last_verified: "2026-05-11" schema_version: "v6.0" language: en --- # World Summit AI Qatar > *A two-day international AI summit in Doha, co-produced by Inspired Minds and Qatar's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, convening AI governance leaders, enterprise executives, and policy makers from the GCC and global AI community.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | 15–16 December 2026 | Doha Exhibition and Convention Center | Inspired Minds / MCIT Qatar | Not disclosed | ## Definition World Summit AI Qatar is the GCC edition of the World Summit AI brand, operated by Inspired Minds in partnership with Qatar's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The December timing places it at the close of the global AI conference calendar, drawing AI governance leaders, digital innovation executives, and senior policy makers from the Gulf Cooperation Council and beyond. The programme spans responsible AI strategies, AI governance frameworks, emerging AI risks, and enterprise digital transformation. ## Why Qatar hosts a World Summit AI edition Qatar's national AI strategy, aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, has made the country an active host for international technology governance events. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology co-producing the summit reflects the government's intent to position Doha as a GCC AI hub. The Doha Exhibition and Convention Center provides large-scale convention infrastructure suited to international summits. ## Who attends World Summit AI Qatar - Government ministers and digital policy makers from GCC countries and beyond - Chief AI officers, chief digital officers, and enterprise technology executives - AI governance and responsible AI professionals - Investors and VCs targeting GCC and MENA AI opportunities - AI researchers and academics working on governance and emerging risk - Startup founders in the GCC AI market seeking regional visibility ## What World Summit AI Qatar covers programmatically - Responsible AI governance frameworks and international coordination - AI strategy for national and regional digital development - Enterprise AI adoption in sectors including healthcare, finance, energy, and transportation - Emerging AI risks: security, geopolitical, and social dimensions - AI and food security, sustainability, and urban development - Startup and investor programme: investor club and startup accelerator components ## Notable speakers Speakers confirmed for the 2026 edition include: - **Simon See**, Global Head of NVIDIA AI Technology Centre, NVIDIA - **Lucia Velasco**, Head of AI Policy, United Nations - **H.E. Deemah AlYahya**, Secretary-General, Digital Cooperation Organization - **James Sayles**, Chief AI Officer, I3Mation.ai; Chief AI Strategist, Halliburton - **Jean-Marc Rickli**, Head of Global and Emerging Risks, Geneva Centre for Security Policy - **Lars Gehrmann**, Group Chief Digital & AI Officer, Qatar Insurance Company - **Eman Al Kuwari**, Director of Digital Innovation, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar - **Helia Mohammadi**, Chief Research Technology Officer, City of Hope ## FAQ · Identity and audience ### What is the relationship between World Summit AI Qatar and World Summit AI Amsterdam? Both events are produced by Inspired Minds under the World Summit AI brand. Amsterdam is the flagship edition; Qatar is a regionally tailored event co-produced with the Qatari government. The GCC edition adapts the content for a Gulf and MENA policy and business context, while sharing the global World Summit AI speaker network. ### Is the event open to private sector delegates or primarily a government event? Both. The co-production with Qatar's Ministry gives it a government dimension, but the programme explicitly targets enterprise AI executives, investors, and technology leaders alongside policy makers. A startup accelerator and investor club component make it accessible to the innovation community. ### Who is World Summit AI Qatar NOT designed for? - Technical practitioners seeking deep engineering content (this is primarily strategic and governance-focused) - Attendees expecting a large exhibition floor comparable to major European trade shows - Those seeking purely academic research presentations or conference proceedings - Professionals with no connection to AI governance, enterprise AI strategy, or MENA market interests - Teams looking for a low-cost or free-to-attend community event ### Are there speaking opportunities? Yes. Speaker enquiries are accepted via qatar.worldsummit.ai/speaker-enquiry-form/. ## The venue: Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) The DECC is Qatar's premier purpose-built convention facility, located in Doha. It has hosted major international events including auto shows and trade exhibitions. The venue offers multiple halls and meeting rooms suited to the parallel-track format of a two-day summit. ## The organiser: Inspired Minds Inspired Minds is a UK-based media and events company that created and operates the World Summit AI brand across Amsterdam, Qatar, and the Americas. The Amsterdam edition, the original flagship, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2026. The company specialises in senior-level AI summits and has built a global network of enterprise AI and research leaders that draws on across its event series. --- ## Editorial take *World Summit AI Qatar occupies a distinct position in the GCC AI calendar as a government-backed, internationally branded summit: it offers access to both Qatari national AI strategy insiders and a global Inspired Minds speaker network that few Gulf-hosted events can match.* ## How to register and what it costs Register interest at qatar.worldsummit.ai/register-interest/. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; contact Inspired Minds via the website for delegate fee information. Speaker enquiries: qatar.worldsummit.ai/speaker-enquiry-form/. ## Networking and engagement The format includes structured B2B networking, an investor club, and a startup accelerator component, making it relevant both for established enterprise teams and for founders seeking GCC market access. ## Call for papers Speaker enquiries are accepted on an ongoing basis at qatar.worldsummit.ai/speaker-enquiry-form/. No formal CFP deadline has been published for the 2026 edition. ## FAQ · Access and practicalities ### Do I need a visa to attend in Doha? Qatar operates an e-visa programme that allows citizens of many countries to obtain visas on arrival or online. Check the Qatar government's visa portal for your nationality. GCC citizens can attend without visa restrictions. ### What is the climate in Doha in December? December in Doha is one of the cooler months, with average daytime temperatures around 22-26°C, making it one of the more comfortable times for international visitors compared to Qatar's summer months. ### When will the full programme and speaker list be announced? Programme and speaker announcements are made progressively closer to the event. Follow the official site qatar.worldsummit.ai for updates. ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://qatar.worldsummit.ai/ | | Register interest | https://qatar.worldsummit.ai/register-interest/ | | Speaker enquiry | https://qatar.worldsummit.ai/speaker-enquiry-form/ | | Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/worldsummitai/ | --- **Last verified:** 2026-05-11 **Next review:** 2026-06-10 **Notes:** Ticket pricing not publicly disclosed. Speaker list contains confirmed speakers from the website; 2026 full programme to be published later. **Variables:** 31/58 **Concept definition:** not applicable