Israel aims to establish itself as one of the world’s leading nations in the field of artificial intelligence in the coming years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the head of the National AI Directorate, Brigadier General (Reserve) Erez Eskel , unveiled a comprehensive national AI program on Sunday, designed to prepare Israel technologically and economically for the profound changes brought about by artificial intelligence.
“We are on the threshold of a new era,” Netanyahu said at the program’s launch. “AI is not just another technology – it will change the world.”
According to the Prime Minister, the program pursues two central goals: Israel should become a global superpower in the field of artificial intelligence, while at the same time the new technology should contribute to the economic prosperity of the country and its citizens.
Netanyahu compared the impending changes to the Industrial Revolution. Israel is in a historic, but short, window of opportunity to secure a leading position.
“The pace of change is so rapid that if you don’t protect yourself and move forward in this wave, you will simply fall behind,” the Prime Minister warned. “And we cannot afford to fall behind.”
Israel’s aim is not simply to keep pace with other states. “We want to be number one, in a leading position,” Netanyahu said.
He cited Israel’s development into an international cyber power as a model. Around ten years ago, he set the goal of making Israel one of the top five countries in the world in cybersecurity. Today, Israel ranks second worldwide in investments in cyber companies, behind only the United States.
“This means we possess enormous capabilities,” Netanyahu said. Israel has already achieved similar successes in agriculture, medicine, medical devices, and other technological fields. “And we will do it here too – in artificial intelligence.”
Photo: Ma’ayan Toaf/GPO
Computing power and human capital
The national program builds on a government decision from June 16th to promote artificial intelligence. This decision includes, among other things, expanding domestic computing capacity and investing in research, development, and skilled personnel. The program now presented specifies this strategy and aims to move it from the planning to the operational phase.
One focus is on areas where Israel already possesses particular technological capabilities. These include cyber technology, so-called physical AI – the combination of artificial intelligence with machines and physical systems – and AI applications for solving specific problems in business and society.
Furthermore, the development of the necessary infrastructure will play a central role. Eskel spoke of high-performance computing capacities, which currently only a few countries possess, as well as of a national quantum computer.
However, Israel’s human capital is crucial.
“The central and most important issue is human capital in the State of Israel, which is our real driving force,” said Eskel. Israel is already in a good starting position, but needs to significantly increase the number of skilled workers and further develop its capabilities.
The National AI Directorate was established by Netanyahu about six months ago. According to Eskel, the first programs are now operational. These are intended to both strengthen the state’s resilience and improve public services for citizens.
Race for the future
The program was developed with the involvement of, among others, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministries of Defense, Finance, Health, Economy, Education and Justice, as well as the Bank of Israel, the Higher Education Council, the Israel Innovation Authority and other state institutions.
With this, Israel is attempting to transfer its position as a “start-up nation” into a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a crucial factor for economic strength, national security, and international competitiveness.
Netanyahu made it clear that the government does not merely intend to observe the technological race.
“The future won’t wait for us – we’ll create it,” he said. With Israel’s “brilliant minds, determination, and vision,” the country will further strengthen its technological position.
“We will secure the future, security and prosperity of the State of Israel as a global AI superpower.”
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