Netanyahu Promises Oren Dovronsky AI Minister Role in Next Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured tech entrepreneur Oren Dovronsky, his first secured candidate for the upcoming elections, that he will appoint him as the minister responsible for artificial intelligence if he forms the next government. This commitment aligns with Netanyahu's plan to emphasize AI as a key theme in his election campaign, alongside political, security, and economic issues. Netanyahu views AI as a major growth engine and a critical area where Israel must compete globally.

Netanyahu's focus on AI is not new; in June 2023, after discussions with Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, he declared Israel's ambition to become a global AI powerhouse. He described AI as heralding a new era and stressed the need for a national policy to keep pace with rapid technological changes.

The Likud party recently announced Dovronsky, a right-wing businessman and co-founder of the tech company Hotbar with extensive Silicon Valley experience, as their first reserved candidate. The party stated that post-election, Dovronsky is expected to lead AI initiatives across various sectors including the economy, education, and healthcare.

However, about two months ago, Dovronsky sparked controversy by criticizing former U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, calling him "morally corrupt" for excluding Israel from Iran nuclear deal negotiations. Following media backlash, Dovronsky apologized, praising Trump as Israel's greatest White House ally and expressing regret for his earlier remarks.