The National Council for Future Technology: A Step to Enhance Jordan's Digital Position and Diversify Income Sources

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The National Council for Future Technology: A Step to Enhance Jordan's Digital Position and Diversify Income Sources
Amman – Ghada Hamad – Experts in the information technology sector emphasized that the royal directive to form the National Council for Future Technology is a pivotal step toward positioning Jordan as a leading country in the digital and technological field.اضافة اعلان

That His Majesty the King’s vision through the formation of the council underscores the need to diversify income sources and focus on high-value-added sectors.

They noted that technology sectors provide enormous opportunities for creating new jobs and attracting foreign investments.

The experts stressed the need for the council to include experts and specialists in technology and economics to ensure the provision of innovative and sustainable solutions while involving universities effectively, making Jordan a regional model for technological transformation and sustainable development.

On Monday, His Majesty King Abdullah II tasked Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hussein with forming and chairing the National Council for Future Technology, with follow-up from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II and membership from individuals chosen by the Prime Minister based on their capabilities and qualifications.

The formation of the council aims to enhance Jordan’s position as an advanced technological country with a flourishing digital economy and society, especially in light of global competition in adopting and using modern technology.

Experts highlighted that the royal directive, under the follow-up of the Crown Prince, will give the council significant importance and stature, enabling it to work seriously on preparing an executive program for Jordan's transition into a leader in the technology sector.

They noted that the decision to form the council is an essential step toward strengthening Jordan’s technological and economic standing, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to technological advancement and the development of a prosperous digital society.

Dr. Omar Al-Zoubi, Dean of the Artificial Intelligence College at Al-Balqa Applied University, stated that the royal directive to form the National Council for Future Technology is a pivotal step in enhancing Jordan’s position as a leading country in the digital and technological fields.

He emphasized the need to focus on future-oriented fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity to achieve the desired goals.

Al-Zoubi explained that artificial intelligence has become one of the fundamental pillars of economic and social transformations, contributing to productivity improvements and enhancing the efficiency of various sectors, including education, healthcare, and military industries.

Data science is now a primary driver of informed decision-making and innovation in institutions. Additionally, cybersecurity is no longer an option but a strategic necessity to safeguard digital infrastructure in the face of digital age challenges.

To achieve this ambitious vision, Al-Zoubi stressed the need for Jordanian universities to be effectively involved in the council. Universities are vital centers for developing human competencies and driving technological innovation.

They can provide specialized educational programs in emerging technological fields, organize advanced training courses to meet market needs, and contribute to applied scientific research in partnership with the council to develop innovative solutions to local and global challenges.

He emphasized that involving universities in the council will ensure that the local market is supplied with qualified professionals capable of leading digital transformation.

It will also strengthen collaboration between the government and the academic sector to implement strategic projects and support students in fostering technological innovation, contributing to the creation of a sustainable digital economy and job opportunities aligned with modern requirements.

He pointed out that this initiative represents a starting point for a bright digital future for Jordan.

By focusing on future jobs and effectively engaging universities, Jordan can become a regional model for technological transformation and sustainable development, thus establishing a thriving digital economy that propels the country toward a leading position on the global stage.


Dr. Hamza Al-Akalyk, an expert in governance, digital transformation, competition laws, and e-commerce, explained that the royal directive to form the council with follow-up from the Crown Prince underscores the importance of preparing an executive program for Jordan to become a leader in the technology sector.

He added that it is a significant step toward achieving comprehensive economic development, noting that the world is rapidly advancing toward technology and innovation.

Countries that invest in technological sectors are the ones most capable of achieving sustainable economic growth and shifting from growth to comprehensive development.

Al-Akalyk emphasized that Jordan, under the leadership and vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II, recognized this early on and made technology sectors a central part of its economic modernization vision, which aims to transform Jordan’s economy into a knowledge and innovation-based economy.

Global forecasts suggest that technology sectors will be the main drivers of economic growth in the coming decades.

According to recent studies from the McKinsey Global Institute, 18 major technological areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud services, and cybersecurity will generate revenues ranging from $29 trillion to $48 trillion by 2040, reflecting the vast opportunities available to countries investing in these sectors.

He pointed out that the economy heavily relies on traditional sectors such as tourism and industry, making it necessary to diversify income sources and focus on high-value-added sectors.

Technology sectors, especially artificial intelligence, cloud services, and cybersecurity, provide vast opportunities to create new jobs and attract foreign investments.

Strategic technical consultant, Engineer Hani Al-Batash, said that the formation of the council by royal order is a vital step to enhance Jordan’s technological and economic standing.

It reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to technological progress and the development of a thriving digital society.

He noted the importance of the council’s ability to keep pace with rapid technological developments and implement quality projects that align with future requirements.

He stressed that the council should include experts and specialists in technology and economics to ensure innovative and sustainable solutions.

Al-Batash added that the council aims to achieve ambitious goals, including enhancing digital infrastructure, developing human resources in technological fields, and strengthening partnerships with the private sector.

The council will work to develop a clear roadmap based on measurable performance indicators to ensure the achievement of these goals, contributing to building a strong economy and a prosperous digital society, thus enhancing Jordan’s capabilities.

In the royal message to the Prime Minister regarding the council, it was stated: "The world is witnessing significant intellectual development, as digital industries and advanced technology have become an integral part of the economic and societal development system.

We must keep pace with this development and build on what we have accomplished in recent years.

Therefore, we have decided to form the National Council for Future Technology, chaired by you, with follow-up from our Crown Prince Hussein, to enhance Jordan’s position as an advanced technological country with a prosperous digital economy and society, especially in light of global competition to adopt and use modern technology."

The message urged the implementation of qualitative projects that keep pace with the accelerating technological developments, meet future requirements, and provide a clear roadmap based on measurable performance indicators.

It also called for supporting current government projects, including efforts to build advanced digital and technological capabilities in human resources and strengthening partnerships and cooperation with the private sector and relevant entities.