Parliament Advisor Warns of Lost AI Opportunities Due to Governance Delays at INOTEX 2026

During a specialized panel at the Iran International Innovation & Technology Exhibition (INOTEX), Ghasemi analyzed the structural challenges hindering the national AI ecosystem. According to the INOTEX 2026 News Center, he drew direct parallels between current AI governance struggles and past missteps in cyberspace regulation.

Key analytical points and historical timelines highlighted include:

• Lessons from Cyberspace Governance: Ghasemi identified three core failures over the past 15 years: misinterpreting "cyberspace" as non-physical "virtual space," executing siloed and uncoordinated actions, and critically delaying necessary interventions.
• Timeline of AI Policy Delays: Despite drafting the National AI Document in 2020-2021 and passing the Data Management Law, the lack of a centralized, authoritative governing body led to years of fragmented conferences and institutional frustration by 2023.
• Recent Legislative Action: Following prolonged government delays in establishing the National AI Organization, the Parliament took direct action in 2026 to draft and pass the comprehensive AI Law, navigating approvals from the Guardian Council and Expediency Council.
• Call for Participatory Governance: Ghasemi emphasized that global leaders place AI governance under the highest national authority. He urged Iran to abandon linear policymaking in favor of a participatory model that empowers innovators and aligns with international standards.

Ghasemi concluded that while domestic achievements in AI exist, the absence of a cohesive, authoritative governance structure has allowed neighboring countries to outpace Iran, making the immediate adoption of participatory governance essential for future technological sovereignty.

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