The Future of Qatar: World Cup 2022 to spur economic innovation via digital transformation
Qatar has successfully navigated its course with focus and ambition, and it now shines brightly on the world stage as a global player in the oil and gas sector, the first Middle Eastern host of the FIFA World Cup, a leader in resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the region’s most competitive economy. What we saw there was only the beginning. By looking ahead and setting lofty goals in the Qatar National Vision 2030, the country of Qatar is embracing the philosophy of transformation via intentional action rather than accidental progress.
There have been a lot of accomplishments along the way, and a lot of them are because of the country’s technology focus. With its reputation as a country that is fast to analyse, field-test, and apply the newest advances and create its own distinctive digital capabilities, Qatar is a clear example of a nation that values growth. In 2020 and 2021, the cloud helped Qatari businesses respond quickly to the epidemic and recover quickly thereafter. In 2022, the cloud can help them grow, and in the future, the cloud can help them become part of a leading digital economy driven by innovation on a global scale.
Qatar’s intelligent cloud, which offers data residency and cutting-edge cloud services that aren’t feasible on-premise, such as AI, is, however, where it may serve as a catalyst to speed up this change and innovation. Its use of Microsoft Cloud services and Microsoft Services is yet another example of how Qatar has proven itself to be a strong and capable country, capable of successfully navigating the transition to a digital economy. The second key principle underpinning the country’s tech intensity is attracting and developing talent. Qatar is putting efforts to increase access to digital skills, which is essential to driving a dynamic and diversified knowledge economy, for everyone from students and job seekers to developers and IT professionals, from startups and partners, and leaving no one behind.
How the World Cup is Driving Qatari Innovation
With this, all sectors of Qatar’s economy can adapt to the new standard and flourish as the country becomes a digital, diversified economic powerhouse. Together, Qatar’s aspirations and major transformation projects like the FIFA World Cup 2022, which realises the vision of making Qatar a global sports hub, TASMU, a novel advanced smart city programme that will transform key industry sectors, and Tawteen, a programme that will digitally transform and create local investment opportunities in the energy sector, will make Qatar a global powerhouse.
Qatar made some huge promises when it was chosen to host the world’s most prestigious athletic event, the Football World Cup. According to Qatar, it will be the most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced tournament ever. The need to deliver on those pledges has been a powerful driver of innovation that promises to improve the event for spectators while reducing its environmental footprint and will have lasting effects for the people of Qatar and beyond.
Standards for green building construction, known as the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), were established in 2009 by the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), which has its headquarters in the Qatar Science and Technology Park. These standards were used throughout the development of all eight FIFA stadiums. The GSAS criteria have proven useful in directing stadium development since they were adopted by the organising committee and authorised by FIFA following examination by an independent expert panel. The stadiums will consume 45% less energy than those built to ASHRAE standards and 44% less water than those built to International Plumbing Code requirements.
Even the most sceptical of people have come around to the proposals. A variety of cutting-edge measures will be put in place to ensure the comfort of 2022 visitors. Using its Internet-of-Things platform, the Qatar Mobility Innovations Center (QMIC) has connected a series of sensors throughout the city of Doha, allowing fans to more easily plan the best route based on real-time information about traffic, taxis, the new metro system, and even venue entrances and exits. QMIC, also located in the Qatar Science and Technology Park, will develop a bespoke smartphone app for visitors that will use this real-time data to streamline the route to the stadiums.
Inventions in connectivity are also being expanded to include gadgets that may be worn, for instance low-power sensors directly on cloth. The tight-fitting shirt will have ultra-low-power sensors that can measure the wearer’s heart rate, breathing rate, and water levels. By employing a system in which each shirt is linked through Bluetooth to those nearby and, ultimately, to a base station, vital signs may be tracked while they are being worn. These vital-signs data can be utilised in real time for a range of scenarios, from athletes to the feeble and old, and is now in a trial phase with wearables worn by construction workers and the cost of the low-power sensor has been lowered below $20 per unit.
After being inspired to try new things by hosting the World Cup, Qatar has made the most of its chance to innovate. Long after the last spectator has left the final game in Lusail Stadium, the inventive culture that was fostered there will continue to be remembered.
How 10xDS Helps Businesses and Industries in Qatar Drive Digital Transformation
Digital transformation can give businesses in Qatar new opportunities in many different fields. It can help improve employee engagement, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, return on investment (ROI), and more. Driving digital transformations in businesses can create value in more than one way. For example, new technologies like hyperautomation, intelligent automation, advanced analytics, and AI can make Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) processes and related reporting more accurate and efficient.
At 10xDS, we offer full digital transformation services and strategies to help you get ready for the Qatar National Vision 2030 and make sure your business is in line with it. 10xDS’s digital transformation solutions are made to give you a deep understanding of your industry and help your business reach new heights.
