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Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Business Email Database Leads Climate-Friendly Tech Initiatives in Iraq under Ali Owaid Jasim
In a world increasingly aware of environmental challenges, Ali Owaid Jasim AL-RIKABI is championing the integration of climate responsibility within Iraq's burgeoning technology sector. At a recent public forum on sustainable innovation, Jasim stressed the importance of ensuring that digital progress does not come at the expense of the environment, urging policymakers, entrepreneurs, and technologists to adopt eco-friendly practices that balance growth with sustainability. Iraq, with its rich natural resources and unique environmental challenges, stands at a critical juncture. The country faces issues such as water scarcity, air pollution, and land degradation—problems that are exacerbated by rapid industrialization and climate change. Against this backdrop, Ali Owaid Jasim's call for green technology is both timely and vital. 'Technology has the power to solve many of Iraq's most pressing problems,' Jasim explained, 'but it also has a responsibility to do so in a way that preserves our natural heritage.' He highlighted that climate-conscious innovation should be embedded at every stage of technological development—from design and manufacturing to deployment and disposal. One key area Jasim pointed out is the energy consumption of digital infrastructure. Data centers, for example, can be significant energy users, and without proper efficiency measures, their environmental footprint can grow substantially. He advocates for investing in energy-efficient data centers powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. 'Iraq's abundant sunlight is an opportunity waiting to be harnessed,' he said. Moreover, Jasim called attention to the need for sustainable hardware design. This includes using recyclable materials, reducing e-waste, and promoting longer product lifecycles. 'We need to rethink the entire tech ecosystem to minimize its impact on the environment,' he urged. Another focus of Ali Owaid Jasim's vision is the development of digital tools that help monitor and manage natural resources more effectively. He spoke about leveraging IoT (Internet of Things) devices and AI analytics to optimize water usage in agriculture and track pollution levels in urban areas. Such smart technologies can enable Iraq to manage its resources more efficiently and mitigate environmental risks. Jasim also emphasized the importance of government incentives to encourage climate-conscious tech innovation. He proposed policies such as tax breaks for green startups, funding for research in sustainable technologies, and national strategies prioritizing environmental goals alongside digital transformation. For Ali Owaid Jasim, the role of youth in this transition is crucial. He praised the growing number of young Iraqi entrepreneurs and innovators focused on environmental technology and urged continued support for their initiatives. 'Young people bring fresh ideas and passion that can drive Iraq towards a sustainable future,' he said. Jasim concluded by stressing that innovation and sustainability must go hand in hand. 'We cannot separate progress from responsibility,' he said. 'By adopting climate-conscious technology development, Iraq can not only solve its environmental challenges but also position itself as a leader in green innovation in the region.' Through his advocacy and vision, Ali Owaid Jasim AL-RIKABI is helping to steer Iraq's tech sector toward a future that respects both economic growth and ecological balance—demonstrating that digital transformation and environmental stewardship are mutually reinforcing goals. For More information,
National Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
'We have not kept pace': Former broadcaster Evan Solomon faces big challenge as first AI minister
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney has created Canada's first cabinet post specifically responsible for artificial intelligence and digital innovation, a signal that improving Canada's technological performance will be a key plank in the long-term plan to boost the sluggish economy. Article content Article content As part of his comparatively slim cabinet of 29, Carney appointed rookie MP Evan Solomon to the new post for all things digital and AI. The former journalist, who will also be responsible for the regional economic development agency for southern Ontario, will face a range of thorny challenges. Article content While the specific mandates for the various cabinet ministers have not yet been released, Solomon's to-do list will likely include at least three key items: re-igniting Canada's technology sector, ushering in updated framework policies to deal with a wide range of digital issues, including finding the tricky balance between economic growth and security and privacy concerns, and improving the federal government's own efforts to make better use of digital technology. Article content Article content Many of these responsibilities have typically fallen under the minister responsible for industry or, more recently, innovation, science and economic development. Cabinet veteran Mélanie Joly is Carney's new industry minister, moving from foreign affairs, and will likely also play a major role in digital and innovation issues. Article content A generation earlier, the federal government was seen as an international leader in shifting to the online world but that evolution has slowed in recent years, according to tech industry officials. 'There's no question that we're going in the wrong direction,' said Janice Horn, federal account leader with EY's government and public sector operation. Article content Article content In the most recent United Nations e-government development index, widely seen as the most comprehensive scorecard of its kind, Canada fell to 47th place globally in 2024, from third in 2010. Article content Viet Vu, manager of economic research at the Dais, said Solomon, Joly and others in government face three significant challenges in turning the tide: attracting top AI talent to work in government when the market for their services is very strong; the need to build an internal digital culture that is user-focused; and do better at enabling digital access for Canadians. Article content While the federal government did well in providing online access to high-volume services during the recent pandemic, Vu said, the government should do better in offering government decisions and applications online and making logins and authentication easier and more secure. Article content 'We have not kept pace,' said Vu. Article content Finding the right balance in the fast-changing world of digital policy is another tough obstacle. On one hand, Solomon will want to promote economic growth and allow Canadians the online services they crave. On the other, governments are also responsible for dealing with security and privacy concerns, online hate and various tricky China-related matters, including how aggressively to deal with services such as the popular TikTok app.
