Iran plans to use artificial intelligence to develop smart governance to secure a place among the world's top ten nations in the field, according to an IRGC commander.

Speaking at a conference in Tehran titled Artificial Intelligence and the Future Civilization on Wednesday, Mohammadreza Ahanger, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s Imam Hossein University, also called for unified government control and strategic investment to achieve its goal.

He added that unified command is the most crucial factor for successful AI governance in Iran, requiring centralized responsibility within the government.

Iran has made limited practical advancements in artificial intelligence but has hosted several events focused on the technology's applications.

In July 2024, Iran established the National Artificial Intelligence Organization as an independent body under the president’s supervision. While its official charter is yet to be finalized, an initial document outlines Iran’s ambition to rank among the world’s top 10 AI leaders within the next decade.

Despite these aspirations, Iran ranked 94th out of 193 countries in the 2024 AI Readiness Index by Oxford Insights, which assesses governments' preparedness to implement AI in public services.

Meanwhile, the country's first artificial intelligence park is set to be established in Tehran within the next two years, according to an official from the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy.