Cover
Volume 7, Issue Speical 7 (2026)

Published: November 5, 2026

Pages: 173-190

Research Article

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth and Addressing Unemployment: An Analytical Study of the Reality in Iraq for the Period (2010–2024)

Mustafa A. H. Abdullah 1 Sundus J. Shaaibith 1
1epartment of Economics, College of Administration and Economics, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq
History
  • Received: August 15, 2026
  • Available Online: November 5, 2026
DOI

https://doi.org/10.56967/ejfb20261024

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of artificial intelligence in achieving sustainable economic growth and addressing unemployment in Iraq. It examines the current state of artificial intelligence technology adoption, the level of institutional and human readiness, and the impact of these factors on economic growth and labor market indicators within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. The significance of the study stems from the growing global reliance on artificial intelligence as a key driver of economic transformation, in contrast to the limited adoption of these technologies in the Iraqi economy, despite the structural challenges it faces, most notably unemployment and a lack of economic diversification. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, drawing on official data from the Ministry of Planning and the Central Statistical Organization, World Bank data, and the Scopus database. It also examines indicators of expenditure on education, research and development, and health during the period 2010–2024, with the aim of analyzing the relationship between artificial intelligence adoption, economic growth, and unemployment in Iraq. The study concludes that the contribution of artificial intelligence to achieving sustainable economic growth in Iraq remains limited due to weak digital infrastructure, low levels of investment in research and development, and the absence of a comprehensive national digital transformation strategy, despite the relative increase in the number of published scientific studies and growing official interest in modern technologies. The findings also indicate that artificial intelligence applications have the potential to improve productivity and enhance the efficiency of economic and service sectors. Nevertheless, their impact on addressing unemployment remains limited because educational outcomes are misaligned with the requirements of the digital labor market and because high-quality, knowledge-based employment opportunities remain scarce

Keywords

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