Iran’s AI Strategy: Building Domestic Capacity and Seeking a Role in Global Governance
An opinion article by Iran’s ambassador to China presents artificial intelligence as a strategic domain and highlights potential cooperation with Beijing.
An IRNA opinion article by Iran’s ambassador to China presents AI as a strategic domain, calls for stronger domestic capabilities and international governance participation, and proposes expanded scientific and technological cooperation with China. The piece outlines policy ambitions but does not provide concrete projects, timelines, funding or independent evidence of results.
## Verified facts
An opinion article published by IRNA and attributed to Abdul Reza Rahmani Fazli, Iran’s ambassador to China, describes artificial intelligence as a major source of economic, scientific, industrial and social change. The article says Iran aims to strengthen domestic capabilities, move beyond simply using foreign technologies, and develop expertise, infrastructure, skilled personnel and an innovation ecosystem.
The article states that Iran’s membership in the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) creates an opportunity for greater participation in international dialogue, scientific exchange and discussions about AI governance. It also presents Iran as having universities, research centers, knowledge-based companies and human resources that could contribute to AI development and debates over responsible and ethical use.
The article advocates international AI cooperation based on mutual respect, equal participation, knowledge exchange, fair access to technological opportunities and shared benefits. It identifies China as a potential partner, citing its experience in technological infrastructure, innovation support, industrial applications and links between science and industry. Proposed areas of Iran-China cooperation include joint research, personnel training, technology development and reciprocal transfer of experience.
## Analysis
The article frames AI as both a national development priority and a component of strategic power. Its central policy message is that Iran should progress from technology consumption toward participation in knowledge creation, technology development and international rule-shaping.
The China section gives this strategy a bilateral dimension. Cooperation with Beijing is presented not only as a means of obtaining experience and technological capabilities, but also as a model of collaboration among developing countries based on joint development and mutual learning. The article therefore links domestic capacity-building with broader diplomatic participation in AI governance.
The text is principally a policy position and diplomatic argument rather than a report of specific programs, investments, partnerships or measurable outcomes. It expresses Iran’s intended direction and stated priorities, but provides no timelines, budgets, project details or evidence demonstrating the scale of existing capabilities.
## Uncertainty
The source does not independently substantiate Iran’s stated AI capacities, the practical scope of its WAICO membership, or the status of any proposed cooperation with China. Claims about China’s technological experience and the potential benefits of bilateral collaboration are presented by the article’s author and are not supported here by additional sources. The article also does not identify concrete mechanisms through which Iran would influence global AI governance.