- 12 Dec 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide by driving innovation and reshaping businesses. In Jordan, AI is playing a key role in helping startups tackle local challenges while competing on a regional and global scale. With strong national strategies supporting digital transformation, Jordan is paving the way for startups to use AI effectively in their entrepreneurial projects.
Emerging Trends: AI in Jordan’s Entrepreneurial Landscape
Here is how AI is transforming various sectors in Jordan while contributing to the advancement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- AI-powered tools like chatbots are streamlining business operations. Widely used in Jordan’s e-commerce platforms, these tools provide real-time customer support, lower operational costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
SDG Supported: 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth (increased productivity and efficiency). - Fintech startups in Jordan are utilizing machine learning to detect fraud, assess credit risk, and offer personalized financial services. These tools are helping build trust and make financial processes more efficient.
SDG Supported: 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (advancing innovation and financial systems). - AI technologies are enhancing diagnostics, telemedicine, and health data management. By improving access to healthcare in underserved areas, these solutions contribute to better health outcomes and align with Jordan’s healthcare modernization goals.
SDG Supported: 3 – Good Health and Well-being (improved healthcare access and quality). - E-commerce businesses in Jordan are adopting AI to optimize delivery routes and inventory management. These tools ensure efficient logistics, reducing delays and minimizing waste.
SDG Supported: 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production (efficient resource management).
AI’s integration into Jordan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem demonstrates its potential to drive progress toward key global development goals while fostering innovation and resilience in the local economy.
Policy Landscape: Laying the Groundwork for AI Innovation
Jordan’s national policies and strategies lay the groundwork for advancing AI adoption and driving innovation.
The National AI Strategy aims to make Jordan a leader in using AI across different sectors. To do this, the government is focusing on training students and professionals through programs designed to teach AI skills and prepare them for jobs in the future. The strategy also prioritizes research and development, fostering innovation in AI technologies to address local and regional challenges. Furthermore, it emphasizes collaboration between the public and private sectors to integrate AI solutions into key industries such as healthcare, education, and logistics, enhancing efficiency and driving economic growth.
The Economic Modernization Vision 2033 emphasizes digital transformation, including AI, as a key driver of economic growth. It outlines plans to attract foreign investment into AI-driven industries, strategies for enhancing digital infrastructure to enable innovative ventures, and dedicated support for startups and SMEs adopting AI solutions in their operations.
- National Entrepreneurship Policy (2021–2027)
The National Entrepreneurship Policy supports AI entrepreneurship through key pillars. It promotes access to capital by encouraging funding mechanisms like the Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF) to drive investment in AI ventures. The policy emphasizes human capital development by advancing technical education and training programs to equip entrepreneurs with essential AI and digital skills. Additionally, it focuses on expanding tech hubs and incubators to encourage collaboration and innovation within AI-focused startups, creating an enabling environment for growth.
Case Studies: Jordanian Startups Leveraging AI
Jordan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem includes inspiring success stories. For example, Repzo, a CRM platform powered by AI, helps businesses track sales and connect with customers more effectively. This has allowed many Jordanian businesses to improve how they operate and serve clients. Mind Rockets creates AI-based assistive technologies, including virtual interpreters for the deaf, bridging communication gaps and promoting inclusivity. Similarly, Abjjad, an Arabic e-book platform, leverages AI to offer personalised reading recommendations, boosting user engagement and retention. These startups demonstrate how AI is transforming various sectors in Jordan, from digital content creation to accessibility and customer management.
Challenges
While AI offers transformative potential, several challenges need to be addressed:
- Limited Funding for AI Ventures: Funding for AI-focused startups in Jordan remains low, as shown in the Magnitt Jordan Venture Investment Report. To support these startups, more grants and incentives are needed to encourage investment in this promising sector.
- Digital Skills Gap: Many entrepreneurs lack the technical expertise to implement AI effectively. The National AI Strategy 2023 addresses this by prioritizing AI education and workforce training, but further emphasis is needed on specialized training for startups.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Access to high-quality data and cloud computing services remains limited. Strengthening digital infrastructure, as outlined in the Economic Modernization Vision 2033, is critical for enabling AI-driven innovation.
Opportunities
Jordan has significant opportunities to expand its AI ecosystem by strengthening public-private partnerships that provide mentorship, funding, and technical support for startups. Collaborating with international organizations can further position Jordan as a regional hub for AI innovation, attracting expertise, investment, and global recognition. Additionally, leveraging AI for sustainable solutions—such as using predictive analytics for resource management and climate adaptation—can address pressing environmental challenges while showcasing the transformative potential of AI in achieving long-term development goals.
AI has the potential to transform Jordan’s entrepreneurial landscape by driving innovation and boosting global competitiveness. To make the most of this opportunity, stakeholders—from entrepreneurs to policymakers—must work together to address funding gaps, invest in digital skills, and build stronger infrastructure. By doing so, Jordan can position itself as a regional leader in AI innovation and sustainable economic growth.
By aligning policies with the needs of entrepreneurs and promoting collaboration across sectors, Jordan can empower startups to harness AI as a transformative tool. The integration of AI into Jordan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is not just a technological advancement but a strategic imperative to ensure sustainable economic growth and resilience in an increasingly digital world.