Doha, Qatar – Global technology leaders are increasingly recognizing Qatar’s burgeoning role as a hub for design and innovation in the Middle East. This recognition was underscored at the recent Web Summit Qatar, where Canva Co-Founder and COO Cliff Obrecht identified the nation as an emerging center for creative work, fueled by high rates of adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).
Obrecht’s comments, made during an interview with The Peninsula, highlight Qatar’s strategic positioning as it diversifies its economy and invests in the technology sector. The country’s commitment to fostering a creative ecosystem is attracting attention from companies like Canva, a leading graphic design platform.
Qatar Emerges as a Regional Design Hub
According to Obrecht, one in fifteen Qataris uses Canva each month, demonstrating significant user engagement. Furthermore, AI adoption rates in Qatar are nearly double those of established markets like the United States and Australia. This rapid uptake of AI technologies is not seen as a threat to creativity, but rather as a powerful enhancement tool.
“We see huge opportunities. We see Qatar as the design hub of the Middle East,” Obrecht stated. He emphasized the importance of integrating local culture and heritage into Canva’s regional strategy, noting Qatar’s “cultural ‘design brand kit’ has been entrenched for hundreds and thousands of years.” Canva plans to collaborate with local artists and communities to ensure its content library reflects regional sensibilities.
Canva’s Expansion and the Affinity Acquisition
Canva’s growth trajectory has been marked by a commitment to democratizing design. This commitment was further solidified by the recent acquisition of Affinity, a professional-grade design software suite. The company intends to make Affinity available “free-forever,” challenging the traditional pricing models of established players in the industry.
Obrecht explained that the acquisition aims to remove barriers for professional designers who have historically faced high costs and complex interfaces. Within the first month of offering Affinity for free, the platform garnered over 3 million downloads, indicating strong demand for accessible professional tools. This move aligns with Canva’s broader vision of empowering individuals and businesses with creative capabilities.
AI as a Creative Enhancer, Not a Replacement
While acknowledging the transformative potential of AI, Obrecht stressed Canva’s belief that the technology should augment, not replace, human creativity. He likened AI to previous advancements in creative tools, from cave paintings to Photoshop, viewing it as another medium for artistic expression.
“We feel that AI is really a massive, compounding enhancer of people’s creativity,” Obrecht said. Canva’s platform allows users to generate images, designs, videos, and even code, while still providing the flexibility to fine-tune projects and maintain creative control. However, Obrecht also underscored the need for responsible AI development, advocating for safeguards against misuse, including protecting individuals’ likenesses and preventing the spread of hate speech.
Canva’s approach to AI prioritizes ethical considerations alongside innovation, reflecting a broader commitment to “propagating good in the world.” The company aims to build a valuable business while simultaneously contributing positively to society.
Obrecht praised the Web Summit Qatar as “absolutely incredible” and one of the best-run conferences globally. He also expressed interest in exploring Doha’s cultural attractions, including its design museums, and suggested Qatar as a potential future host city for the Canva World Tour.
Looking ahead, Canva will continue to integrate AI capabilities while prioritizing user control and ethical considerations. The company’s success in Qatar, and the broader Middle East region, will likely depend on its ability to adapt its platform to local cultural nuances and foster collaboration with regional creatives. Further developments regarding a potential Canva World Tour stop in Qatar are expected in the coming months, contingent on logistical planning and regional demand.
