Historically, any major technology introduction has divided intellectual voices into two camps—for and against. Whether it was the Industrial Revolution (1760–1840), the Electrical Revolution (1880s–1940s), or the Digital Revolution (1950s–present), these transformations sparked intense debates about their impact on jobs, society, and economic structure. In hindsight, their impact can be assessed as overwhelmingly positive, as they created new industries, expanded economic opportunities, and accelerated growth. Similarly, the current debate surrounding artificial intelligence technology has its own fanfare and an equal number of skeptics. Nonetheless, the objective of this article is not to predict the ultimate impact of AI. Rather, this article explores how societies are preparing themselves to take advantage of evolving technology, and what strategies can potentially be replicated in the Kurdistan setting to strengthen its workforce for the future.
Before delving deeper, it is important to understand that the effects of AI will not be uniform across societies and sectors. A 2023 study conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), titled Labor Market Exposure to AI: Cross-Country Differences and Distributional Implications, introduced the concept of complementarity to measure whether AI assists or replaces human workers in different occupations. The study revealed that advanced economies have higher overall exposure to AI, largely because of their greater proportion of professional roles. However, when complementarity is taken into account, the risk of replacement is significantly reduced. The paper also highlights that women and highly educated workers are more likely to be exposed to AI, but for many, AI is likely to complement their work and enhance productivity rather than displace them.
Applying this framework to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region shows that a significant share of high-exposure, low-complementarity (HELC) jobs are concentrated among low-skill urban informal workers—including retail clerks, drivers, security guards, and basic office clerks. According to the World Bank’s 2023 Iraq Economic Monitor, most private-sector workers in Iraq are engaged in low-productivity service roles, which makes them particularly vulnerable to automation. In contrast, public-sector professionals such as engineers, accountants, and healthcare workers in Kurdistan fall into the high-exposure, high-complementarity (HEHC) category, where AI has the potential to raise productivity and wages significantly—provided that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) makes timely investments in digital infrastructure and targeted training programs.
The Kurdistan Region is comparatively better positioned than many other parts of Iraq. Internet penetration exceeds 80 percent in urban areas (ITU, 2024), and mobile phone usage ranks among the highest in the country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the KRG’s Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UNESCO, launched the E-Parwarda (which translates to E-Education in Kurdish) online learning platform, which showed that both students and teachers can successfully adapt to digital tools when adequate support is provided. Some universities are now offering cutting-edge programs in computer science, equipping students with skills that prepare them for a technology-driven future.
Still, significant challenges remain. Gender gaps in labor force participation continue to persist—with women largely concentrated in clerical government jobs and education roles, which face varying levels of AI exposure. Without timely and proactive measures, automation could risk widening these gaps even further. Policies should therefore prioritize upskilling programs specifically designed for women and youth, who together make up most of Kurdistan’s population.
Drawing lessons from countries that have actively prepared their workforces to harness technology, South Korea and China present valuable case studies. South Korea’s Ministry of Education has mandated the rollout of AI-powered digital textbooks for Grades 3, 4, 7, and 10 in subjects such as English, Mathematics, and IT, with full implementation planned by 2028. China, on the other hand, has introduced national-level AI curricula and teacher training programs to ensure that students are exposed to AI early on. These initiatives aim to equip the next generation with the skills needed to succeed in an AI-driven economy.
To prepare Kurdistan Region’s workforce for this transition, a comprehensive strategy is essential. The first step is to expand broadband access and provide schools with the necessary hardware and software to support AI-enabled learning. Equally important is teacher training—introducing AI literacy and digital pedagogy programs in partnership with the Ministry of Education and international organizations such as UNESCO. Public-private collaboration can also play a key role in designing short, practical AI and data literacy courses for workers in both formal and informal sectors. Additionally, targeted scholarships and specialized training programs should be implemented to boost women’s and youth’s participation in AI and STEM fields, ensuring that no group is left behind in this technological shift.
Encouragingly, local initiatives are beginning to take shape. The Kurdistan Foundation, for example, recently hosted a public debate titled Is AI About Understanding, or Is It Taking Over?—an important step toward fostering awareness and dialogue about AI’s opportunities and challenges. Such initiatives should be expanded to include hackathons, innovation labs, and pilot projects that demonstrate practical AI applications tailored to the needs of Kurdistan’s economy.
As Victor Hugo famously said, “It is impossible to resist an idea whose time has come.” For Kurdistan, AI represents just such an idea—one that can transform its education system, empower its youth, and future-proof its economy if acted upon with urgency and vision.
Devendra Kumar is an associate professor and the head of the research center at British International University, Erbil.
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rudaw.