Improved Data Governance Could Minimize Future Damages

Speaking at the "Role of 5G-AIOT Regulation in the Development of the Digital Economy" conference held, Dr. Sadr, Vice Minister of Communications and Head of Information Technology Organization of Iran (ITO), emphasized the collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector to expand Iran's economy, highlighting a substantial role reserved for private sector stakeholders.

He underscored the significance of the digital economy, noting its transformative power in developed nations. "The digital economy is a broad and impactful concept. An examination of the leading economies of developed countries reveals that a significant portion of their success is attributable to the development of their digital economies. This domain knows no borders, and given the appropriate infrastructure, digital services can be provided on a global scale," Dr. Sadr stated.

Dr. Sadr stressed the need for robust infrastructure to advance the digital economy, adding, "Without adequate infrastructure for data exchange, the development of technologies like 4G and 5G is impossible. In this regard, the Ministry of Communications, as the primary steward of infrastructure development, must collaborate with operators and other stakeholders to create conditions conducive to industry investment in digital transformation. Otherwise, achieving the goals of this field will be challenging."

Sadr emphasized that concepts like "artificial intelligence" and "digital transformation" must move beyond theoretical discussions. "The dimensions of digital transformation and artificial intelligence are well-defined, encompassing data and processing. Developing these two dimensions is key to realizing the goals of the digital economy," he explained.

Highlighting the importance of data access, Dr. Sadr said, "The ITO, as the main custodian in this area, is working to facilitate access to data for knowledge-based companies and digital businesses. We must protect data, but not at the expense of limiting access. Our goal is to protect data without creating unnecessary obstacles."

Referring to the incident at Shahid Rajaee Port, Dr. Sadr emphasized, "The proper use of data can provide accurate information about the entry, exit, and movement of cargo, and facilitate decision-making in this area." He added, "By strengthening data governance and developing network infrastructure, many problems can be prevented. It is necessary to overcome resistance to the adoption of modern methods."

Dr. Sadr also pointed to the national program to address energy imbalance, noting that a 20% energy saving is possible through digital economy initiatives. He further highlighted ongoing efforts to codify laws and policies related to the digital economy within the framework of Article "P" of Article 107 of the Seventh Development Plan Law.

Dr. Sadr reiterated that establishing data governance is a primary objective of the ITO, emphasizing, "Creating a secure and suitable environment for data exchange allows these assets to be leveraged for wealth creation. Otherwise, we will simply become data custodians."

Finally, Dr. Sadr addressed the importance of tariff setting in the digital domain, proposing a consortium of private sector players. He concluded, "The Ministry of Communications will not make decisions without the participation of the private sector, but the success of this approach depends on the active participation of the private sector and business owners."