Turki Al-Faisal, former head of Saudi intelligence, referred in his recent statements to the security threats posed by Iran and Israel with their expansionist plans for the Persian Gulf region. He emphasized that the countries in this region, in addition to the obvious threats arising from ongoing wars and conflicts, also face hidden challenges that could impact the security of their societies, stability, and future economic development.
The Necessity of Joint Cooperation
Turki Al-Faisal pointed to the need for a common strategic vision among Gulf countries and stated that these countries must expand their cooperation to address security, economic, demographic, and technological developments. He believes that current security challenges can only be managed through collective cooperation and that no country can respond to these threats alone.
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Warning About New Technologies
He also referred to technological developments, especially the expansion of artificial intelligence, and warned against the military use of these technologies, particularly in the development of drones and low-cost weapons by non-state armed groups. According to him, the development of these technologies could create new security threats to the critical infrastructure of the countries in the region and facilitate an increase in cyberattacks, information infiltration, and the spread of fake information.
Turki Al-Faisal considered the strategic dependency of Gulf countries on foreign technologies as one of the major concerns and emphasized the necessity of developing local capabilities in the design, production, operation, and protection of intelligent systems. He also called for the establishment of a joint Gulf council for the governance of artificial intelligence to develop common standards for the use of high-risk systems, protection of citizens' information, and coordination against security threats.
A More Stable and Secure Future
This former Saudi official reiterated the necessity of strengthening security and technological cooperation among Arab Gulf countries and believed that the challenges facing the region are such that no country will be able to manage them completely on its own. In conclusion, Turki Al-Faisal deemed coordination among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries as a strategic necessity for achieving a more stable and secure future.
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