Artificial Intelligence Use in Iran: Rising Interest in the Shadow of Sanctions and War
Despite economic sanctions and infrastructure damage caused by the conflicts in April 2026, 41.6% of the population in Iran is actively using artificial intelligence tools.
According to data from the Iranian Parliament's Research Center dated July 2026, 41.6% of Iranians aged 15 and over are utilizing artificial intelligence technologies. Despite internet restrictions in the country and damage to the high-performance computing center at Sharif University of Technology during the 'Ramadan War' in April 2026, AI usage has become a part of daily life.
According to the research results, 14.7% of AI users utilize these tools regularly, with ChatGPT being the most preferred platform at a rate of 78.6%. Differences in usage rates based on education and gender are notable; while familiarity among university graduates is at 85%, 45.1% of women and 38.3% of men use AI tools.
Despite the damage caused to infrastructure by the conflicts in April 2026, Iran continues to develop domestic models such as 'Rakhshay' and 'Boof AI'. The country maintained its international presence by winning four medals at the 3rd International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI 2026) held in Astana in August 2026.