A completely correct and good decision by the State of Israel. AI is not only crucial for a modern economy and science, but AI is also important for war. In the future, AI-controlled robot dogs may clear the tunnels of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the PA.
Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold said: “Artificial intelligence is already impacting the battlefield today. Continued investment in the National AI Program presents a strategic opportunity to strengthen Israel’s national security. Integrating advanced AI technologies into the defense system will enhance operational decision-making and increase efficiency on the modern battlefield. We view the collaboration between the defense sector, academia, government ministries, and industry as a vital lever for technological leadership and maintaining the IDF’s qualitative edge.”
However, two criticisms:
1. Lack of funding: At least one zero in the budget is missing.
2. The second critique after the lack of funding – 500 million is simply not enough – is still the missing philosophy and out-of-the-box thinking. It’s a complicated issue and difficult to frame in a bullet point like the 5 fields named below. But, without philosophy (and I do not mean by that the next ‘ethic commission‘) you will not match any progress in AI which has stood still for about 50 years. Maybe in the next phase, disruptive philosophy will be on board.
But Israel has a very solid base and international reputation. To name Technion or TAU as leading powerhouses for AI. Israel is considered worldwide as a leader in artificial intelligence. To ensure that it remains that way, it needs massive supportive measures from the state.
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich said: “Israel is taking a step forward. The National Artificial Intelligence Program seeks to harness AI’s immense capabilities and integrate them across a wide range of sectors including high-tech, science, the economy, citizen services, and more. The program will strengthen Israel’s high-tech industry and support the growth of our economy as a whole.”
The press release of the ‘Israel Innovation Authority’ explains: “This phase will run until 2027 with an allocated budget of NIS 500 million. The funds will be invested in R&D infrastructure, including a National AI Research Institute that will serve as a platform for advanced, groundbreaking research in collaboration with Israeli and international academic researchers and industry professionals. Additionally, there will be significant efforts to develop human capital within academia and the military, aiming for major breakthroughs in Israel’s high-tech sector and the integration of AI into public services.“
The second phase focuses on 5 areas
- AI Integration in the Public Sector and Local Authorities: Improving public services and enhancing government system efficiency are central to this phase, with an emphasis on competitive processes to support innovative public sector projects. These projects will focus on improving citizen service quality, strengthening decision-making capabilities, and making public systems more efficient and cost-effective. Additionally, a knowledge hub and research center will be established to provide professional support to government ministries and local authorities in AI policy.
- Preserving Israel’s Leadership in AI Research: A National AI Research Institute will be established, serving as a platform for advanced, cutting-edge research in collaboration with both Israeli and international academia and industry. Additionally, ‘Moonshot’ challenge projects will be launched, focusing on scientific breakthroughs and their application in industry and defense. These projects will connect groundbreaking research with high-tech and defense technology, enabling Israel to lead globally in critical areas.
- Expanding Human Capital in the Industry: Expanding human capital is a central component of the second phase, aiming to meet the needs of industry, academia, and the military in AI. A key goal is to develop a specialized training program in the IDF, creating a central source of hundreds of technology experts specializing in AI. Efforts will also be made to attract international experts by offering incentives for academics and professionals from abroad to immigrate to Israel and contribute to the field.
- Access to Data and Information: The second phase will encourage leveraging Israel’s existing data repositories for AI R&D. Government data and unique datasets collected over the years will be made accessible to researchers and tech companies, serving as the foundation for new research and innovative developments. This is expected to accelerate R&D processes and give Israel a competitive edge internationally.
- Encouraging Transformative High-Tech Ventures: Significant investment will be made in breakthrough technological ventures in the high-tech industry, which have the potential to transform various fields. These ventures will focus on developments that lead to technological leaps in Israeli industry and promote new, innovative fields in the Israeli economy. In heavily regulated fields, government intervention will be required to encourage experimentation and remove barriers.