Why it matters:
Salehi-Amiri's remarks highlight a shift in Iran’s development strategy, focusing on culture, higher education, and technological innovation as key factors in shaping the nation's future. This approach aims to reduce reliance on traditional industries like oil while fostering a knowledge-driven economy that supports employment and national identity.
The big picture:
Iran is exploring the role of cultural industries and artificial intelligence (AI) in boosting its economy and global standing. With a global market for cultural and creative industries worth over $1,800 billion, Iran faces challenges in capturing its share of this lucrative sector, which could help tackle both economic and identity-related issues in the country.
What he's saying:
Salehi-Amiri stated, “Sustainable development in Iran begins not with oil, but with a cultured human being and the university. Today, cultural industries, creative sectors, and the intelligent use of new technologies, especially artificial intelligence, are the most important path forward for the country to achieve development, employment, identity-building, and countering Iranophobia.” He further emphasized, "Whenever invited by universities, we have responded without hesitation because development starts with human beings, and the enlightened human being is the architect of the development path."
Go deeper:
Iranology Can Connect Civilizations Through Knowledge, Culture: Salehi
M.Majdi - Mahboubeh Habibi
