Detailed overview
Iraq does not currently have a comprehensive AI Act equivalent to the EU AI Act. Its AI framework is developing through a national AI strategy, Prime Minister-level coordination, public-sector digital transformation, AI education and sector-specific initiatives.
Iraq has created a national AI governance track under the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Committee for Artificial Intelligence on 21 August 2024, during which Iraq's AI strategy was reviewed. The Prime Minister also chaired the second meeting of the committee, where AI-related plans and implementation matters were discussed.
The Iraqi AI learning and strategy platform describes the National Strategy for AI and Big Data Integration in Iraq. The strategy focuses on using AI and big data for public benefit, building a knowledge economy, developing national AI capability from school level to higher education, and integrating AI with the UN Sustainable Development Goals in sectors such as healthcare, environment, safety, security and education.
The Iraqi strategy also identifies practical AI applications in healthcare, energy efficiency, precision agriculture and tourism. It refers to data governance and monitoring as necessary conditions for responsible AI development and deployment. The platform identifies the Iraqi Prime Minister's Advisory Office for Artificial Intelligence as connected with the initiative.
For businesses, Iraq is currently a strategy and monitoring jurisdiction. There is no general AI licensing law, no statutory high-risk AI system classification comparable to the EU AI Act, and no single AI-specific penalty table. AI compliance depends on the sector and the legal effect of the system.
AI systems in Iraq may trigger requirements under data and privacy rules, cybersecurity, telecoms regulation, financial regulation, healthcare law, public-sector procurement, education rules, employment law, consumer protection, intellectual-property law or criminal law. AI used in government services, healthcare, finance, infrastructure, education, customs or security-sensitive contexts should be reviewed carefully because these are the areas most likely to attract future sectoral AI controls.
Practical requirements & details
Sourced from official Iraqi Prime Minister's Office communications, the Supreme Committee for Artificial Intelligence meetings (21 August 2024 and follow-up) and the National Strategy for AI and Big Data Integration in Iraq.
Supreme Committee for AI
- Chaired by the Prime Minister.
- First meeting: 21 August 2024 — reviewed Iraq's AI strategy.
- Second meeting: AI-related plans and implementation matters.
National Strategy for AI and Big Data Integration
- AI and big data for public benefit.
- Knowledge economy and national AI capability from school to higher education.
- Integration with the UN SDGs — healthcare, environment, safety, security and education.
Practical AI applications
- Healthcare, energy efficiency, precision agriculture and tourism.
- Data governance and monitoring as conditions for responsible AI.
Institutional set-up
- Prime Minister's Advisory Office for Artificial Intelligence — connected with the national AI learning and strategy platform.
Sensitive sectors
- Government services, healthcare, finance, infrastructure, education, customs and security-sensitive contexts.
Sectoral overlays
- Data and privacy, cybersecurity, telecoms, financial regulation, healthcare, public-sector procurement, education, employment, consumer protection, intellectual-property law and criminal law.
Penalties
- There is no AI-specific penalty table equivalent to the EU AI Act.
- Penalties depend on the underlying law breached — typically data protection, cybersecurity, consumer protection, sectoral licensing, public procurement, intellectual property or criminal law.
- AI compliance therefore depends on the sector and the legal effect of the system, not on a standalone AI statute.