‘We have no time to waste’: Netanyahu unveils Israel’s national AI program

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National AI Directorate head Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Erez Eskel launched the National AI Program on Monday, with Netanyahu vowing that Israel will become a global leader in artificial intelligence.

The program aims to build on Israel’s existing strengths in AI and cyber technology while expanding the country’s computing infrastructure, quantum computing capabilities and human capital.

Netanyahu said Israel has a narrow window of opportunity to establish itself among the world’s leading AI powers and linked success in the field to the country’s future economic prosperity and security.

"We stand at the threshold of a new era. AI is not just another technology; it is going to change the world. We are in a historical window of opportunity, but a very short one, because the pace of change is so great that if you do not safeguard and advance yourself in this wave, you will simply be left behind. And we cannot be left behind. We have no time to waste, and we do not just want to avoid being left behind; we want to be in the number one place, a leading place,” Netanyahu announced.

Netanyahu pointed to Israel’s success in cyber technology as evidence that the country can become a global leader in emerging technologies.

“I said this back in the day regarding cyber as well; I said we would be among the top five countries in the world. People did not quite buy it. That was about ten years ago, and today we are in second place in investments in cyber ventures. Israel is second only to the United States. This means we have immense capabilities,” the prime minister continued.

Netanyahu said the AI program would build on those capabilities while promoting economic growth. Its two main goals, he said, are to establish Israel as a global AI power and “promote prosperity for the Israeli economy, as well as for Israel's citizens and Israel's children.”

He added that Israel had achieved similar successes in other fields and said, “We will do it here too, in artificial intelligence."

Looking ahead, Netanyahu said, “The future will not wait for us; we are creating it,” adding that Israel would work to secure its “future, security, and prosperity” as a global AI power.

Eskel said the program would build on Israel’s strengths in cyber, physical AI and practical AI applications while investing in the infrastructure and workforce needed to support the technology.

“We are launching this program, which takes into account the distinct advantages of the State of Israel in the fields of cyber, physical AI, and solving life's problems with AI,” Eskel explained, pointing to investments in computing infrastructure, a national quantum computer and human capital.

Eskel said Israel already has a strong foundation but must expand its resources and workforce to achieve greater leadership in the field.

“We are already in a good position. We have dedicated extensive resources and programs to set a much higher standard, and above all to increase the numbers,” he concluded.

Israel has already begun using AI capabilities in its military operations. AI tech boosted the Israeli Air Force’s capabilities during the Iran war earlier this year, enabling Israeli fighter pilots to rapidly identify high-value targets in real time, including targets linked to the elimination of top Iranian officials.