Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL), spoke at the World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha, Qatar, where he made the case for investing in artificial intelligence (AI) in ways that protect national sovereignty while keeping countries connected to the global economy.

The forum, organized by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), shared investment risks, new tools to attract financing for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, and principles to modernize investment treaties to help developing countries secure more capital for development.

Prof. Kponyo joined a panel alongside H.E. Mr. Abdul Salam Haykal, Ms. Orsolya Kneither, and Mr. Riady Gozali. He spoke on foundation models and the technology frontier under the topic of investing in AI.

He emphasized that governments and states must build the necessary environment and infrastructure on which powerful AI tools can be developed to enhance productivity. For example, he noted that transforming health care, agriculture, and fintech requires creating the enabling environment and building the right capacity.

Discussing the approach for emerging technologies, Prof. Kponyo said data centers should not simply be built; rather, efficient models should be developed so that the same results are achieved with less compute and energy.

He also stressed that decisions made now have dire consequences for generations yet unborn. Looking to the future, he called for agreement that delivers a win-win for all parties, and for decisions that do not cost countries their sovereignty while ensuring they do not isolate themselves from the rest of the world.