Iran's AI Achievements; From the National Assistant to the GPU Farm and Indigenous Processing Platform

Tehran - BORNA - With the inauguration of the 14th government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been recognized as one of the foundational pillars of development in the knowledge-based economy and technology sectors, attracting special attention from policymakers. This administration, with a vision combining technological equity, innovation, and university-industry integration, has steered AI toward becoming a key driver of economic growth, productivity enhancement, and societal quality of life improvement. In this context, the role of the Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy as the central coordinating body—from policymaking to operational implementation of this strategy—has been crucial.

This report examines, section by section, the performance of the Vice-Presidency in AI development, including infrastructure, smart governance, GPU farms, human capital empowerment, and major projects. 

1. National AI Infrastructure Development – Integrated Processing Platform

One of the most notable initiatives of the Vice-Presidency in the 14th government has been the design and launch of a national AI processing platform. The goal of this project is to establish a scalable, indigenous, and efficient structure capable of meeting the AI needs of knowledge-based companies, researchers, academics, and industry.

Structural Components of the Platform

The national platform consists of three key layers:

• Passive Equipment: Includes power and cooling systems and infrastructure that support hardware functionality.

• Active Equipment: GPU servers connected via four network layers, including InfiniBand networks, inter-server networks, intra-server networks, and Auto-Fan networks for automatic cooling.

• Software Layer: Encompasses data modules, Large Language Models (LLMs), and AI service delivery components. This layer integrates with the hardware infrastructure to provide intelligent content services via API.

Platform Development Stages

• MVP (Minimum Viable Product): The initial version has been prepared and unveiled.

• API Delivery to Companies: By the end of Tir 1404 (July 2025), initial API versions were delivered to selected companies.

• Public Launch: The final, public version of the platform will be available by the end of Esfand 1404 (March 2026).

University and Private Sector Participation

The project began in collaboration with Sharif University of Technology and the Vice-Presidency, involving specialized teams in networking, clustering, operating systems, and API-based application development.

• 13 knowledge-based companies participate in a consortium; one company manages business guidance and platform commercialization, while the others focus on software development, data modules, and applications.

Project Significance

• Creation of an indigenous, optimized, and scalable AI infrastructure.
• Meeting the growing needs of the knowledge-based ecosystem.

• Synergy among universities, government, and private sector to advance “sustainable digital transformation.”

• Potential to establish a structure that, in the long term, could lead to technological independence, job creation, and reduced reliance on foreign resources.

2. AI Infrastructure Fund

Hossein Afshin, Vice President for Science, announced the establishment of the AI Infrastructure Fund in Autumn 1403 (Fall 2024). The initial capital of this fund is 10 trillion rials (10,000 billion rials), which includes statistical assets such as GPUs under the Vice-Presidency’s control, counted as foundational capital.

Features and Objectives

• Providing sustainable financial resources for AI infrastructure development.

• Enabling private sector participation through financial investment or equipment contributions.

• Strengthening the role of the private sector in infrastructure development via joint investment or equipment usage.

This approach can channel financial flows and real resources toward the creation of indigenous infrastructure and expansion of the AI ecosystem, reducing exclusive dependence on government resources. Additionally, this participatory model may accelerate the development of applied AI solutions and commercialization. 

3. GPU Farm Launch (AI Data Center)

The Vice-Presidency has committed to launching the first national GPU data center by 1404 (2025-2026). This initiative represents a major step toward strengthening heavy processing infrastructure for advanced applications such as neural networks, rendering, big data, and AI.

Key Stages

• The first shipment of AI servers arrived in the country on 26 Esfand 1403 (March 16, 2025), and installation commenced.

• A precise operational architecture has been defined, particularly a framework for GPU utilization and creating a competitive environment to encourage private sector investment. 

Infrastructure Structure

• Computational Infrastructure: Includes CPUs and GPUs for high-speed parallel processing.

• Chip Production Infrastructure: The national Sahand project aims to produce silicon up to Wafer 9, which will enable future domestic chip production.

Significance

• Accelerates complex computations and supports startups, research, and knowledge-based enterprises.

• Reduces dependency on foreign GPUs and prepares the groundwork for technology localization.

• Enhances data security and retention domestically while strengthening data-driven transactions.

4. AI Assistants for Ministers – Smart Governance

A novel approach of the 14th government is the implementation of AI assistants in cabinet ministries and executive organizations. The project aims to improve service quality, accelerate decision-making, and optimize administrative processes.

Collaborations: Universities and Government Agencies

• 13–14 leading universities have been tasked with developing AI assistants for various ministries and governmental bodies.

• Data is stored and processed on the national AI platform, providing a secure analytical environment.

• A tripartite collaboration among the Vice-Presidency, universities, and ministries advances project stages. 

Project Execution Stages

• Uploading laws and regulations in system data format.

• Loading practical regulations and ministry-specific data.

• Modeling and forecasting to facilitate decision-making.

• Implementing AI assistants in real decision-making processes. 

Responsible Universities by Ministry

• Isfahan University of Technology → Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade

• University of Tehran → Ministry of Oil

• Shahid Beheshti University → Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs & Ministry of Science

• Shiraz University → Ministry of Agriculture Jihad

• Alzahra University → Ministry of Communications and Information Technology

• One private company handles legal modeling and recognition of structures and legal conflicts

Benefits

• Enhances government service quality and public satisfaction.

• Accelerates administrative processes and managerial decision-making.

• Optimizes decision-making chains from data to prediction.

• Develops indigenous AI models (Persian language) and retains data domestically.

5. Free AI Education – Human Capital Empowerment

A strategic component of technology equity initiatives has been education and human capital development from an early age. From early summer 1404 (2025), the Vice-Presidency, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, launched a free AI education program for students and teachers.

Educational Scope

• Target: Approximately 2 million students and 200,000 teachers nationwide.

• Delivery: Online, engaging, and game-based, suitable for ages 4–15.
• Enrollment: Nearly 600,000 students registered so far; projected to reach 2 million.

• Teacher Training: Funded by the Vice-Presidency, with special courses in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

At Universities

• Calls for educational proposals from professors have been announced.

• AI courses started at universities at the beginning of the academic year.

• Quantum education is offered in 12 universities and 16 disciplines since the start of Mehr (September).

• Optional AI concepts have been introduced into textbooks to familiarize students and teachers with AI methodologies and thinking. 

Key Objectives

• Reduce disparities in access to ICT and AI for students and teachers.
• Foster an educational environment that nurtures talent and retains it domestically.

• Strengthen digital literacy and skills from an early age, preparing for a future intelligent ecosystem. 

Future Outlook of the Vice-Presidency’s AI Initiatives

The Vice-Presidency in the 14th government has transformed the AI landscape through synergy among scientific, academic, governmental, and private sectors in the following domains:

• National AI Processing Platform and Infrastructure: Development from MVP to public release.

• AI Infrastructure Fund: Stable financing for equipment and technology partnerships.

• GPU Farm and AI Data Center: Essential heavy computation infrastructure with localization and data security.

• AI Assistants in Executive Bodies: Introduction of AI into governance for informed decision-making.

• AI Education for Future Generations: Empowerment of students, teachers, and university professors, potential future industry leaders.

1404 (2025–2026) and Beyond

• Short-term: Utilize the final version of the platform and GPU farm, develop applied and commercial AI tools, and expand technological education nationwide.

• Medium-term: Consolidate hardware localization (through projects like Sahand), develop the AI industry, and pivot toward technology exports.

• Long-term: Build a smart nation, promote knowledge-based exports, and prevent brain drain by retaining domestic talent.

The performance of the Vice-Presidency in the 14th government in AI reflects a combination of critical infrastructure steps, policy initiatives, and human capital empowerment efforts. Projects such as the national AI processing platform, the infrastructure fund, GPU farm development, AI assistants in governance, and broad-based education demonstrate Iran’s serious commitment to digital transformation and knowledge-based economic development.


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