Doha: HE Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani affirmed investment in technology infrastructure goes hand in hand with investment in culture, whether in museums, innovation centers, and other platforms that could create an environment for innovation to thrive.

According to Qatar News Agency, Her Excellency participated in a Web Summit Qatar 2026 session titled "Investing in culture: Museums, creative industries and the knowledge economy." Her Excellency said that talent no longer has to travel long distances to better express themselves or develop their ideas, as the current infrastructure, educational institutions, and abilities to invest in startups are now available unlike in the past.

Her Excellency noted that the Art Mill Museum, which is currently under extensive development, will serve as a museum for modern and contemporary art, working to integrate Arab collections within a global narrative. She invited everyone to explore the Art Basel Qatar exhibition, describing it as a unique exhibition organized and curated by visual artist Wael Shawky, who currently resides in Doha and is the first recipient of the Creative Visa.

Regarding the Creative Visa, Her Excellency said that it contributes to inviting creatives interested in collaborating with Qatar's vision to apply for a Creative Visa to reside in Qatar, noting that holders of the Creative Visa are not required to reside in the country year-round.

In the field of fashion, she spoke about the Fashion Trust Arabia event, which Doha hosts annually, noting that designers and finalists often ask about the requirements for living in Qatar, as individuals are always seeking communities where they feel a sense of belonging. Her Excellency added that, through its diplomatic efforts, Qatar has succeeded in creating an environment in which everyone feels welcome, regardless of their origin or profession.

Her Excellency also noted that many people in the business and technology world view museums as places that display objects from the past to educate generations about history. However, Qatar Museums follows a different approach, always considering stakeholders around each institution and selecting museum locations based on who should be involved to add value and improve people's lives.

She expressed her belief that Qatar Museums today represent some of the most important public spaces, bringing together people from all walks of life, where individuals can feel safe and confident to discuss any idea or project. Her Excellency also discussed the visit of renowned American artist Richard Serra to Doha, who was inspired by an Afghan minaret during his time at the Museum of Islamic Art, leading him to create the sculpture "7."

Her Excellency praised what Western institutions have achieved in developing their cultural institutions, stressing that this is not a new phenomenon. She emphasized that there is no longer a need to travel to Silicon Valley to implement ideas, as Qatar has sufficient capacity to bring ideas to life within a capable infrastructure.

She stressed the importance of technology enhancing humanity rather than diminishing it, adding that the greatest challenge facing parents and societies lies in protecting children. Her Excellency reviewed the role of the Children's Museum, which seeks to teach children positive ways to use technology without harming themselves.

Her Excellency affirmed that when artists create their works, they convey their experiences and the social and political conditions of their time. She noted that children can learn more by viewing a work of art or an exhibition than by being asked to read large amounts of text.

Her Excellency pointed out that the State of Qatar launched a national vision in 2008 and is now on the verge of completing Qatar National Vision 2030, which fully embodies this approach. She stressed that investing in creativity does not necessarily mean that a person becomes an artist; they may become a technology entrepreneur, a future leader, or pursue any other path.

Her Excellency also discussed the first phase of this 25-year vision, which focused on national identity and heritage, beginning with the Museum of Islamic Art, followed by Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, and culminating in the National Museum of Qatar. The second phase of the plan included the Children's Museum and the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, both inaugurated as part of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Her Excellency affirmed that the final phase of the national plan for Qatar's museum sector is represented by global projects currently under development, such as the Qatar Auto Museum and the Lusail Museum. She announced the launch of a new partnership between the National Museum of Qatar and Google Cloud, under which the game Mario Kart has been completely redesigned using Qatari cultural investments, transforming it into an educational tool.

Her Excellency concluded her remarks by saying that technology today plays a fundamental role in culture, highlighting the core concept of the Children's Museum, expected to open in 2029, which centers around interaction with the environment.