OpinionAs we did in cybersecurity, it's time to declare AI a national project and establish Israel's first AI capital
Opinion
As we did in cybersecurity, it's time to declare AI a national project and establish Israel's first AI capital
"The question is not whether we can cope with the change but how we can lead it. Israeli companies, at the forefront of global technology, are our best hope for ensuring the nation remains relevant and influential in the decades to come," writes Lior Pony, Managing Director of Dell Technologies Israel.
The State Comptroller's report revealed that Israel lacks a national AI strategy or a comprehensive plan for implementing artificial intelligence (AI).
This raises profound questions about the country's readiness to embrace the next technological era, which is no longer a distant future but an immediate reality.
The report emphasizes that AI is not a futuristic vision but a present force, already influencing almost every aspect of our lives, directly or indirectly—from healthcare and transportation to security, education, leisure, commerce, and beyond. Nations and organizations that fail to advance in this domain will face significant setbacks in these areas.
While many countries, such as the United States, China, and the European Union member states, have already developed clear national strategies in the AI field, Israel finds itself in a paradoxical situation. On one hand, the nation boasts impressive technological capabilities and groundbreaking innovation. On the other, it lacks an overarching strategic approach to fully realize its immense potential.
In the near and distant future, leveraging AI capabilities will not be a privilege but a necessity for anyone seeking employment, even in roles only tangentially related to technology. In fact, job descriptions in the coming years will increasingly demand proficiency in AI tools.
Although the absence of a government strategy is concerning, the real story lies elsewhere—in the private sector, particularly among global tech giants operating development centers in Israel and their collaborative ventures both locally and internationally. It is our responsibility to lead the necessary change—and this is precisely what we are doing.
The Leadership of the Private Sector
The private sector's leadership stems not only from its technological prowess but also from its deep understanding of market needs and its ability to implement solutions in real-time. While regulation and government policies are typically slow processes, private companies can act swiftly and flexibly and adapt to frequent global market changes.
Partnership Between the Private and Public Sectors
Despite the critical role of the private sector, true success—and even the ability to surpass other developed nations—hinges on collaboration with the government. Israel's history demonstrates that when the public and private sectors work together—for example, in security, cybersecurity, and agriculture—significant breakthroughs can be achieved.
The Comptroller's report serves as a wake-up call for the government to join forces with the private sector and declare 2025 as "The Year of AI."
However, this will only happen once all organizations adopt the technology. We are acutely aware of the challenges, problems, and fears that organizations face, as evidenced by the research we conduct. But AI is not just a technological revolution—it is also a social and economic one.
The question is not whether we can cope with the change but how we can lead it. Israeli companies, at the forefront of global technology, are our best hope for ensuring the nation remains relevant and influential in the decades to come.
"The Year of AI" Is Not an Empty Slogan
This vision represents a concrete action plan, starting with teaching AI in schools—covering its advantages and risks—establishing AI-based solutions to improve citizens' well-being, and expanding frameworks to encourage investments, enact tailored legislation, and create funds to advance research and development.
The government must act similarly to its approach in cybersecurity, where Be'er Sheva was declared Israel's cybersecurity capital. It is time to declare AI a national project, allocate substantial resources, redirect budgets, establish an "AI Capital," and engage global companies.
The investment in cybersecurity has proven itself: the public-private partnership turned Israel into a powerhouse of knowledge and strength. It has attracted major corporations that pour significant funds, resources, and personnel into the Israeli ecosystem, generating substantial revenue for the state, creating countless jobs, and, of course, advancing the nation and the world.
Israel can no longer afford to waste precious time. The revolution is already here, and those who fail to act today will find themselves left behind tomorrow.
Lior Pony is the Managing Director of Dell Technologies Israel.
