Qatar launches Qai for AI development, signs $20B partnership with Brookfield
On 8 December 2025, Qatar announced the establishment of a national company, Qai, for the development of and investment in artificial intelligence. The new entity is part of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) sovereign wealth fund, which has assets of $524 billion. Qatar has thus declared its intention to become a regional centre for next-generation computing power.
Qai intends to invest in AI infrastructure in Qatar and overseas, as well as provide high-performance computing and related tools. Its first partnership, with Canada’s Brookfield, was announced on 10 December.
Development of trusted systems
According to the official statement, Qai will focus on developing ‘trusted’ AI systems. To this end, it plans to evaluate and commercialise large language models and advanced technologies such as autonomous agents. At the same time, according to Qai Chairman Abdullah Al-Misnad, the company will not independently create large language models such as Google Gemini. Still, it will focus on testing and implementing them in applied solutions.
QIA has already invested in a number of Silicon Valley startups and joined Anthropic’s funding round in September. At the same time, Qatar is taking a more measured approach compared to its Gulf neighbours, where the UAE and Saudi Arabia have created their own national players and multi-billion-dollar funds to support AI projects. The region attracts global technology giants thanks to its access to financing and cheap electricity for data centres.
Experts note that Qatar will need to obtain export licences from manufacturers such as Nvidia and AMD to access the most advanced chips.
Qatar and Brookfield establish a $20 billion joint venture
Two days after the announcement of the creation of Qai, Qatar and the Canadian company Brookfield announced the creation of a $20 billion joint venture to build advanced AI infrastructure. The investments will be directed at both the domestic market and selected foreign projects.
The partners intend to provide capital and operational expertise to create fully integrated AI facilities in Qatar, as Economy Middle East News states. These include the Integrated Compute Centre, which will expand access to high-performance computing and support the adoption of trusted AI technologies in key sectors of the economy.
The deal is in line with Qatar’s strategy for digital transformation and economic diversification under Qatar National Vision 2030 and Digital Agenda 2030. In particular, Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030) is a national strategic programme launched in 2008. Its main goal is to create a modern and sustainable society.
Similar to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the QNV2030 concept is based on four pillars: human development, social development, economic development, and environmental sustainability. These areas define national strategies focused on building a knowledge economy, diversifying sources of growth, preserving cultural heritage, and managing the country’s development responsibly.
Strategic importance of the initiative
The leaders of both sides emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership. QIA Chairman Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi called the project a confirmation of the fund’s commitment to creating a local and global impact. Bruce Flatt, CEO of Brookfield, noted that this is the company’s first investment in AI infrastructure in the Middle East and an essential step towards the formation of an integrated ecosystem for the responsible implementation of advanced technologies.
According to Qai Chairman Abdullah Al-Misnad, the collaboration will attract investment and high-calibre talent, strengthening Qatar’s leading position in the development of digital technologies in the region and the world. Overall, the development of Qai is seen as a step towards diversifying the economy and strengthening Qatar’s position in the global AI ecosystem. The authorities are focusing on security, trust, and the commercial adaptation of advanced technologies.
This article was first published in Russian on 10 December 2025.
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