ABSTRACT 

This study offers foundational insights into the benefits and concerns perceived by local business sectors in Sulaymaniyah, within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq—a region characterized by close-knit social structures and persistent political and economic fragility. Focusing on five key sectors—media, finance, energy, retail, and hospitality—the research explores how local businesses in a developing and resource-rich context understand, use, and respond to Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Grounded in a comprehensive literature review of global AI trends and regional strategies—particularly the experiences of Gulf countries—the study contextualizes local perspectives within broader patterns of technological adoption. Findings reveal nuanced views on AI’s potential to improve productivity and efficiency, as well as specific concerns around data privacy, ethical misuse, and labor displacement. The research further identifies a strong connection between cultural values, such as the preference for human interaction and skepticism toward Western technology, and the pace and form of AI adoption. In its second phase, the study will convene a stakeholder workshop to co-create tailored policy recommendations, drawing from both the thematic analysis of interviews and insights from the literature. Ultimately, this research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on AI integration in culturally conservative and institutionally fragile regions, offering a model for other contexts that share Kurdistan’s developmental challenges.

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