DOHA: Organisations in Qatar will need to strengthen cybersecurity, unlock previously inaccessible data and invest in AI skills as they accelerate adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), noted Ghassan Kosta (pictured), Regional General Manager for Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Iraq at Google Cloud.
On the sidelines of Google Cloud Summit held this week, Kosta said the company was working with public and private-sector firms in Qatar as they explore ways to deploy AI at scale, stressing that advances in the technology must be accompanied by stronger security measures.
“We are working closely with both the public and private sectors on AI,” he told The Peninsula in an interview. “As AI scales, security must keep pace.” The Regional General Manager identified three areas Google Cloud is prioritising in its work with customers such as security, data and upskilling.
On security, Kosta said organisations need to establish the right foundations before deploying AI systems, including governance frameworks, safeguards and data control.
“Securing workloads is critical. It starts with strong governance, trusted guardrails and control over data from day one,” he said.
Kosta said Google Cloud supports customers throughout the technology lifecycle, from developing and deploying systems to operating them, including capabilities ranging from autonomous threat hunting to managed incident response.
“AI agents are only as smart as the data behind them,” he said, emphasising the need for companies to address the large volumes of information that remain inaccessible within their systems.
He said Google Cloud’s technology is designed to transform raw data into what he described as enterprise knowledge by linking structured information, including tables and databases, with unstructured assets.
Kosta identified workforce development as the third major component of successful AI adoption, arguing that investment in technology alone will not be sufficient.
“Without the right skills and knowledge in AI, you cannot get the best out of the technology,” he said.
He said Google Cloud’s work in Qatar has therefore focused on developing local capabilities alongside technological infrastructure.
Kosta also highlighted the company’s partnership with the Qatari government, describing the summit as an opportunity to showcase the progress since 2021. “Today is a celebration of technology in Qatar, and we are proud of our partnership with the Qatari government,” he said.
The company subsequently expanded its focus in 2024 and 2025, increasing investment in infrastructure while also stepping up efforts to build AI capabilities. The official said the development of Qatar’s technology ecosystem reflects a broader push to encourage innovation across the public and private sectors.
He further added, “What is happening in Qatar is a real revolution. There is a transformation taking place, driven by the tremendous work of the government in encouraging the public and private sectors to innovate, create and embrace new technologies.”
