The Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi has reiterated that in the age of artificial intelligence, restricting access to the latest technological achievements including internet is not a solution.
“Today, there is a view in the country that believes the
technological sphere can be managed through restrictions and blocking. In
contrast, there is another view that believes this enormous capacity should be
used effectively,” he said at a national conference to mark the Iran Digital
initiative.
He added that the second approach was an opportunity-oriented
view of technology and the internet, and that the President Masoud Pezeshkian’s
administration has been pursuing this opportunity-oriented approach.
President Pezeshkian took part in the event titled ‘Iran
Digital Reaches Four Millions’ as the special guest, during which the ICT
Minister thanked his support and attention to the initiative.
“Without the President’s support and attention, the formation
of such a convention and the realization of this positive development would not
have been possible,” Hashemi added.
The Minister of ICT stressed that at a time when artificial
intelligence was developing at great speed and significantly affecting
scientific, economic, educational and social relations around the world, the
country must be able to make use of technological capacities to advance its
development.
Referring to the positive feedback among students attending
the event towards an opportunity-oriented approach to the internet and global
access, Hashemi said that their broad participation showed that the country’s
new generation viewed technology and the internet as opportunities for
learning, communication, creativity and progress.
“This message must be heard, and policymaking in the field of
technology must also be aligned with the realities of today’s world and the
needs of the new generation,” he stressed.
He described the Iran Digital initiative as an important step
towards linking technology with the education system and advancing educational
equity, stressing that the initiative is not the end of a journey but the
beginning of a long path towards empowering the country’s teenage and young
generations.
“I would also like to express my appreciation to the
country’s education system and to all teachers who play a role in empowering
the country’s next generation, because a significant part of what we are
witnessing today in Iran Digital is the result of the efforts of teachers and
the education sector.”
Referring to the large presence of students at the event, the
ICT Minister told them that their enthusiastic participation demonstrated the
importance and appeal of technology and digital skills for the new generation,
adding that this human capital must receive serious attention.
“Today’s event and the national Iran Digital initiative are
the result of a synergistic, empathetic and close collaboration between the
Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, the Ministry of
Education, and the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.”
He added: “The result of this cooperation has been the
creation of a deep connection between technology and the country’s education
system—a connection that can pave the way for transforming teaching methods,
increasing students’ access to new learning opportunities, and creating new
avenues for identifying and nurturing the talents of the new generation.”
He also said that the path towards empowering the new
generation, advancing educational equity and making use of emerging
technologies was a long one, and that success required continued cooperation
among all sectors and the mobilization of all the country’s capacities.
At the conclusion of the event, students and other participants in
the national Iran Digital initiative presented their views on emerging
technologies and artificial intelligence, showcasing part of the new
generation’s potential in responding to technological developments.