Israel needs an AI-focused government ministry with real power, experts argue

Israel’s next government should establish a dedicated ministry for scientific infrastructure and artificial intelligence reporting directly to the Prime Minister, according to proposals being circulated among policymakers. The new department would need to move beyond advisory roles or symbolic positions, instead wielding genuine authority over planning and implementation across the sector.
The proposed ministry would oversee a range of critical functions, including multi-year budgeting, coordination between government departments, computing infrastructure, and energy planning. It would also control access to national datasets, regulatory sandboxes for experimental projects, and national research programmes.
Under this structure, the ministry would integrate security considerations into AI development and manage international partnerships and agreements. Proponents argue that such comprehensive authority is necessary to position Israel competitively in the global AI race and to ensure that artificial intelligence development serves broader national interests.
Currently, AI-related responsibilities are scattered across multiple government bodies without a unified strategic direction. The proposal reflects growing recognition among Israeli officials and tech sector leaders that artificial intelligence will be central to the country’s economic future and security landscape.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.