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The center will promote collaboration in key areas such as cybersecurity, genetics, medicine, and water and food security — particularly urgent issues for the Middle East.
By Shula Rosen
Israel and the United States are moving forward with a $200 million initiative to establish a joint center for artificial intelligence and quantum innovation, aimed at advancing scientific cooperation and countering the influence of rival powers, including Iran, China and Russia.
Set to operate from twin headquarters in Tel Aviv and Arlington, Virginia, the project will receive $20 million annually from each government beginning in 2026 and continuing through 2030.
The center will promote collaboration in key areas such as cybersecurity, genetics, medicine, and water and food security — particularly urgent issues for the Middle East.
“This is more than a scientific partnership,” said Dr. Smadar Itzkovich, CEO of the AI & Quantum Sovereignty Lab and one of the initiative’s leaders, to The Times of Israel. “By combining American and Israeli strengths, we’re creating a platform for regional security, economic growth, and technological leadership.”
Itzkovich noted that Israel has the scientific talent and research expertise to lead in quantum and AI but lacks the infrastructure and investment seen in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“We have the innovation,” she said, “but not yet the chips, processing power, or financial resources to match our neighbors’ ambitions.”
The initiative is designed to extend beyond the US-Israel partnership. Itzkovich said the long-term vision includes bringing in Abraham Accords countries, as well as Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, and Central Asian nations such as Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
She described the center as a strategic response to Iranian efforts to destabilize the region. “Iran aims to surround Israel with chaos and terror,” she said. “We want to counter that by building a circle of science, cooperation and stability.”
According to Itzkovich, the technologies being developed will have both civilian and defense applications. “AI and quantum will define the future of intelligence, security and economic power. This center positions us — and our allies — to lead.”
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