Analysis of the Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem in Iran and Identifying Institutional and Functional Gaps

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Technology Studies Institute, Tehran, Iran

2 Researcher in Technology Studies Institute, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, National Research Institute for Science Policy, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

 
Artificial intelligence will be one of the main drivers of human life at least in the next decade. Therefore, many governments are striving to plan and utilize the benefits of this technology. To this end, one of the focus areas has been the analysis of ecosystems and providing the groundwork for the development of this technology and wealth creation. However, research findings show that the artificial intelligence ecosystem in the country has not yet taken shape in the true sense, and it is in the early stages of formation, in terms of maturity. There is still no relative consensus among actors for dividing tasks and missions.
In this article, using qualitative research methods and based on library studies, structured interviews, and expert panels, the country's artificial intelligence ecosystem has been analyzed, and a proposed model for redesigning it has been mapped out. The proposed model consists of 16 functions and seven main actor groups that must interact with each other. In the proposed model, there are gaps in institutions that currently do not exist or have not played a significant role, which include: governance gap, awareness-raising gap, standardization gap, ethical institution gap, innovation development gap, data governance gap, consortia, business cluster gaps, and the network institution gap.
In addition to these, in some of the functions, institutions or organizations have been considered for them, but for various reasons, the desired and suitable output for advancing that function is not seen in the artificial intelligence ecosystem. These functional weaknesses are mainly related to monitoring, research and development, technical infrastructure provision, and the provision of other technical services

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 [1]         Research and Markets, Artificial Intelligene Global Market Report 2023, Research and Markets, 2023.
[2]           Accenture, Embaracing Artificial Intelligence, Accenture, 2017.
[3]           McKinsey, Driving impact at scale from automation and AI, McKinsey, 2019.
[4]           Oxford Insights, Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness, 2019.
[5]           Deloitte, Future in the balance? How countries are pursuing an AI advantage, Deloitte, 2019.
[6]           ESCAP, Artificial Intelligence in Asia and the Pacific, United Nations, 2017.
[7]           Department of Defense, SUMMARY OF THE 2018 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY, Department of Defense, United States of America, 2018.
[8]           K. S. Hajela, Policy Considerations for AI Governance, ITU, 2018.
[9]           EUROPEAN COMMISSION, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION, EUROPEAN COMMISSION, 2018.
[10]        E, Anggraeni., E.D, Hartigh., & M, Zegveld., Business ecosystem as a perspective for studying the relations between firms and their business networks, ECCON, pp.1-28, 2007.
[11]        I. V. Kastalli and A. Neely, Collaborate To Innovate, How Business Ecosystems Unleash Business Value, University of Cambridge., 2013.
[12]        P. Klimas and W. Czakon, Species in the wild: a typology of innovation ecosystems, Review of Managerial Science, pp. 249-282, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-020-00439-4
[13]        D. d. Santos, A. Zen and B. A. Bittencourt, From governance to choreography: coordination of innovation ecosystems, Innovation & Management Review, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 26-38, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1108/INMR-08-2020-0117
[14]        A. Whicher and A. Walters, Mapping Design for Innovation Policy in Wales and Scotland, The Design Journal, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 109-129, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/14606925.2016.1233006
[15]        Esmailipour Masouleh, E., Afshari-Mofrad, M., and Bashiri, M, Innovation Ecosystem in Iran’s Automotive Industry; What it has, What it Lacks, Journal of Improvement Management, vol.15, no.4, pp.105-127, 2022. Doi: 10.22034/jmi.2021.286062.2568. }In Persion{
[16]        M. Milard, What Is an Innovation Ecosystem and How Are They Essential for Startups? , 2018.
[17]        N, Bigdelou., H, Zare., and S. Ghazinoori, The application of innovation ecotone theory to modify the structure of Iran's innovation ecosystem, Journal of Industry and University, vol.13, no.49, pp.71-86, 2022. Doi: 20.1001.1.27170446.1399.13.49.5.1. }In Persion{
[18]        Accenture, Embracing artificial intelligence, Accenture, 2019.
[19]        M. G. Jacobides, S. Brusoni and F. Candelon, The Evolutionary Dynamics of the Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem, Strategy Science, vol. 6, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2021.0148
[20]        A. Arenal, C. Armuna, C. Feijoo, S. Romos, Z. Xu and A. Moreno, Innovation ecosystems theory revisited: The case of artificial intelligence in China, Telecommunications Policy, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2020.101960
[21]        C. Stix, A survey of the European Union’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, 2019. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2101.02039
[22]        University of TORONTO, CANADA’S AI ECOSYSTEM, GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT, PROPELS PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH, University of TORONTO, 2020.
[23]        L. Antebi, Artificial Intelligence and National Security in Israel, INSS, 2021.
[24] V, Aggarwal, How can India compete with US and China on Artificial Intelligence? 2018
[25]        Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology, National Artificial Intelligence strategy, Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology, 2021.
[26]        O. Groth, M. Nitzberg, D. Zehr, T. Straube, T. Kaatz-Dubberke, F. Frische, M. Meilleur and S. Shersad, Comparison of National Strategies to Promote Artificial Intelligence, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, 2019.
[27]        A. Kumar, National AI Policy/Strategy of India and China: A Comparative Analysis.‏, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, 2021.
[28]        OECD.ai, "https://www.oecd.ai/dashboards/countries," 2020.
[29] A, Delavar., Qualitative Methodology, The Scientific Journal of Strategy, vol. 18, no. 54. pp. 307-329. Doi: 20.1001.1.10283102.1389.18.1.11.6. }In Persion{
[30] H, DanayiFard ., S, Alvani.,and A, Azar., Qualitative Research Methodology: A comprehensive approach, Ashraghi-Saffar, 2017. }In Persion{
[31]        S. A. Southerland, M. U. Smith and C. L. Cummins, What do you mean by that? using structured interviews to assess science understanding, in Assessing Science Understanding: A Human Constructivist View, 2005, pp. 71-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012498365-6/50006-8
[32]        E. Adhabi and B. C. Anozie, Literature Review for the Type of Interview in Qualitative Research, International Journal of Education, 2017. https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v9i3.11483
[33]        J. W. Creswell, W. E. Hanson, V. L. Clark Plano and A. Morales, Qualitative research designs: Selection and implementation, The counseling psychologist, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 236-264, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000006287390
[34] H, HajiHoseini ., & Z. Karimian., STI Policy Process and Its Governance, Journal of Science & Technology Policy, 11(2), 71-86, 2019. Doi: 20.1001.1.20080840.1398.12.2.6.1. }In Persion{
[35] S. Ghazinoory., The need to maintain a balance between different institutions of the country's innovation system: Editorial, Journal of Science & Technology Policy, 2023. Doi:10.22034/JSTP.2023.13973. }In Persion{
[36] Hamzeh, A., Moazemi, M., Kavosi, S., & Zolfaghari, R., Foundations of Conflict of Interest in the Policy and Structure of Higher Education in Iran after the Islamic Revolution, Journal of Political Studies, 13(52), pp. 213-227. 2021.}In Persion{
[37] Farasatkhah, M., Border activists, Gameno, 2022.}In Persion{
[38]        M. Afshari-Mofrad, S. Ghazinoory and S. Nasri, Measuring the efficiency, effectiveness and changeability of institutions for improving national innovation system, Asian Journal of Technology Innovation, vol. 29, no. 2, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/19761597.2020.1797517
[39]        M. Cincera and H. Capron, Assessing the Institutional Set-up of National Innovation Systems, Economics, 2001.
[40]        S. Ghazinoory, F. Philips, M. Afshari-Mofrad and N. Bigdelou, Innovation lives in ecotones, not ecosystems, Journal of Business Research, 135, 572-580, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.06.067

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics