Web Summit Qatar 2025 opens first day of programming

• HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani participated in ‘Running in circles: How the old has become new’
• Qatar Central Bank announces upcoming Innovation Lab to support fintech companies 
• Qatar Financial Centre unveils QFC Metaverse to support startups 

HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF), emphasised the critical importance of establishing comprehensive regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence during her participation at Web Summit Qatar 2025.  

Speaking in a session titled ‘Running in circles: How the old has become new,’ she explained: “We’ve seen how AI has been useful, whether through services, security, but we also see lack of privacy and deepfakes. When I think of my children and future generations, it’s already difficult today to find truth and this might complicate matters further. I believe there must be some form of regulation ensuring we’re not completely relying on AI for everything, but I recognise this is a challenging task even today, so we do not just need government regulation but also self-regulation.” 

Drawing on QF’s three decades of experience, HE Sheikha Hind noted that innovation does not always mean creating entirely new systems. “We shouldn’t put a strong border on creativity. So, when I look at the foundation that my mother started 30 years ago, her idea was to actually learn from best practices around the world and localise it completely for our community. We are picking and choosing what is best for us, and in that we’ve created something new, but it is essentially part of something that has existed before.” 

HE Sheikha Hind highlighted education and research as key drivers of Qatar’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy. She added: “We believe in unlocking human potential. That’s what we do. We support individuals, which is very rewarding, but that also has a huge burden because you are supporting people to hopefully be successful in life, but also contribute to the development of their country, and so with the development of our ecosystem.” 

On Qatar’s appeal to startups, she emphasised the country’s compact nature as a strategic advantage rather than a limitation. She highlighted Doha’s transformation over the past 30 years as a testament to its adaptability, alongside its robust infrastructure and substantial investments in education and research, which foster an ideal ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurial growth. 

The first day also saw HE Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor of the Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority, announce the upcoming Innovation Lab. This state-of-the-art facility will allow fintech companies to test their concepts before seeking investment, providing a comprehensive resource hub. 

HE the Governor explained that the Innovation Lab reflects Qatar’s commitment to digital transformation as a key driver of economic growth, attracting both local and global entrepreneurs. 

In another session, Sheikh Ali bin Al Waleed Al Thani, CEO of Invest Qatar, outlined the country’s strengthened ecosystem for fintech companies, pointing to streamlined business procedures and improved access to capital and talent through the Fund of Funds and Startup Qatar programs. He emphasised that Qatar focuses on attracting startups while facilitating their global expansion through strategic international events that enable strategic partnerships. 

A key highlight of the first day was the unveiling of the QFC Metaverse, a digital space designed to transform business networking, fintech innovation and global collaborations. Unveiled by the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) as part of the QFC Innovation Dome, this initiative creates a borderless, digital-first hub for business growth. 

“Through this platform, we will build a financial district and fintech hub that can easily be accessed by anyone from anywhere in the world. We consider this necessary at a time when digital transformation is reshaping industries worldwide. It is a core element of our broader vision to drive digital transformation in Qatar’s financial sector, aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the 2030 Digital Agenda,” explained Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida, Board Member and CEO of QFC. 

Additionally, a recipient of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) Fund of Funds, UTOPIA Capital Management, launched A-Typical Ventures, a startup studio backed by QIA and Qatar Development Bank. The studio, a first-of-its-kind in Qatar, will provide comprehensive technical and professional support to local and regional early-stage startups across fintech, healthtech, agritech, transportation, logistics and climate technologies. 

Web Summit Qatar’s second edition runs through 26 February at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, gathering over 25,000 participants spanning 124 nations, 1,520 startups, 723 global investors, 381 speakers, 167 strategic partners and 600 media outlets from around the world.