New Israeli program seeks to attract AI talent to the Jewish state

The Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) announced on Sunday the launch of a new program aimed at attracting artificial intelligence experts to Israel. The IIA plans to invest NIS 7 million (approximately $2 million) to bring talented Israeli citizens living abroad and individuals eligible under the Law of Return, which grants citizenship to Jews worldwide, to the country.

"These organizations will identify AI experts with advanced degrees and relevant work experience from around the globe, match them to unfilled positions in Israeli high-tech companies, particularly startups, and assist with their relocation and integration into Israeli society," the IIA stated.

The IIA noted that 300-400 “advanced degree graduates” join the Israeli tech market every year in various AI-related research roles. However, the authority stressed that this number is "far short of the sector's increasing demand."

It takes about a decade to train new AI experts as this includes "at least a master’s degree and several years of hands-on industry experience," the Israeli authority stated. "Meanwhile, the growing integration of AI across various industries has resulted in a global shortage of experts."

Hanan Brand, IIA Vice President and Head of the Startup Division, emphasized the importance of expanding the number of AI experts in Israel.

"Expanding Israel’s AI talent pool is critical for maintaining its leadership in the field. The number of local academic graduates is insufficient, and the shortage grows annually," Brand assessed.

"The program aims to increase the supply of quality human capital for Israeli hi-tech amidst growing global competition by attracting AI experts from around the world to work in local companies, especially startups."

Ziv Katzir, the director of Israel’s National AI Program, explained that AI expertise is more rare than other areas of research and development.

"Unlike other R&D fields, AI demands advanced academic backgrounds and several years of hands-on experience," Katzir said.

Looking ahead, he predicted that the new AI program would attract hundreds of experts in the field to Israel in the coming years.

"The high demand for workers and the stringent knowledge requirements result in a significant talent shortage. We believe this program will bring hundreds of experts to Israel in the coming years, supporting the success of numerous startups and strengthening the local industry's capabilities and global standing."

Artificial intelligence is already rapidly impacting many areas of human existence, both in civilian and military contexts. Israeli Defense Ministry Dir.-Gen. Eyal Zamir recently declared that AI is becoming a game-changer in the military battlefield.

“AI isn’t just another innovation, it is a complete game-changer,” Zamir stated at a tech summit at Tel Aviv University. “The future battlefield will allow swarms of mixed combat units, men and unmanned systems fighting together or fully autonomous units operating as one, capable of making their own decisions.”

AI technology has greatly enhanced the Israeli military’s ability to receive vast intelligence data on multiple terrorist targets in real-time. This breakthrough has facilitated the IDF' in locating and striking high-value targets, such as top terrorist leaders and enemy strategic weapons.