GFEAI 2026: science minister warns AI potential to become an invisible dictatorship

TEHRAN – Science, Research and Technology Minister Hossein Simaei-Sarraf has warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in data analysis could pave the way for a shift from data control to human control, potentially giving rise to what he described as “an invisible dictatorship.”

By Mehdi Soltani

Deputy youth minister remembers Minab schoolchildren at IYF in Russia

YEKATERINBURG, Russia – Alireza Rahimi, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council of Youth, began his address at a meeting of youth ministers from countries participating in the International Youth Festival (IYF) in Yekaterinburg by remembering Iranian schoolchildren killed in recent attacks.

Over half of eligible Iranians join Jan Fada campaign

TEHRAN – The “Jan Fada” (self-sacrificing volunteer) campaign officially launched on March 29 as a spontaneous public movement in response to persistent threats and aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

DOE calls for stronger global action to protect ozone layer, tackle climate change

TEHRAN – Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment, has called for stronger international cooperation to address the harmful effects of ozone-layer depletion and climate change, saying that global participation, strong commitment to obligations, and dedicated financial resources can produce real, tangible, measurable, and monitorable results.

Pezeshkian pushes for drafting Iran-China action plan to combat desertification

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian has highlighted the need to draft a five-year Iranian-Chinese action plan to manage airborne dust and combat desertification in line with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the two countries.

Tehran to foster educational interactions with Ankara

TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation led by the deputy minister of education for international affairs and schools abroad has visited Turkey to expand educational cooperation between the two countries and address the challenges Iranian students face in Turkey.

Economic, social support for women-headed families to be strengthened

TEHRAN – There are currently around 26 million households in the country, more than 20 million of them in urban areas and approximately six million in rural areas. According to the latest statistics, women head more than 12 percent of these households. Plans are underway to boost support for women-headed households.

Iran censures US deliberate destruction of development at Human Rights Council

TEHRAN –The Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO has elaborated on the deliberate destruction of development by the US through adopting coercive sanctions and launching military aggressions against the country.

Biosphere reserve management regulations under final review

TEHRAN - The judicial and legal committee of the cabinet of ministers is conducting a final review of the executive regulations for biosphere reserves, which will establish the framework for managing the country’s biosphere reserves.

Knowledge-based companies to expand role in advanced materials sector

TEHRAN – Building links between small knowledge-based companies and major industries is a key strategy for reforming the technology structure, expanding markets, and achieving sustainable growth, an official with the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy has said.

Iranian universities, Malaysia’s UKM discuss joint high-tech research projects

TEHRAN – Iran’s top universities are ready to launch joint technology projects with Malaysia’s National University (UKM) in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and clean energy, Iran’s scientific attaché to East Asia said during a visit to the Malaysian university.

Iran to chair Tehran Convention, lead Caspian Sea environmental protection efforts

TEHRAN – Iran will host the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Tehran Convention on the protection of the Caspian Sea environment from September 20 to October 1, following a three-year hiatus, and will assume the convention’s rotating presidency at the conclusion of the meeting.

Webinar on fertility preservation for people over 30 set for October

TEHRAN – Royan Institute will host a specialized webinar on October 1 to help individuals make informed decisions about their reproductive health, focusing on fertility preservation options and strategies for single women and men over 30.

National document on Persian medicine governance being developed

TEHRAN - The first expert meeting to develop the National Governance Document for Iranian Traditional Medicine was held with the aim of reviewing the sector’s overarching policies, bringing together senior officials, leading academics, and representatives of executive bodies.

Forensic Medicine Organization seeks to enhance ties with ICRC

TEHRAN – Iran’s Forensic Medicine Organization has voiced its readiness to maintain and expand cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with a focus on strengthening joint efforts in scientific, educational, and operational fields, alongside the provision of equipment.

Elderly to account for 30% of Iran’s population by 2050

TEHRAN — With older adults already accounting for 13 percent of Iran’s population and the country’s fertility rate continuing to decline, demographic shifts are accelerating. Current projections indicate that within the next 25 years, nearly one-third of Iran’s population will be aged 60 and above.

ACECR official, Turkmen envoy explore avenues to beef up sci-tech co-op

TEHRAN – Iran’s Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR) and Turkmenistan have agreed to explore avenues for expanding scientific cooperation, following a meeting between ACECR Deputy for Research and Technology, Zahra Sheikhi, and Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Ilyas Ghaypov.

International Day to Protect Education from Attack: Condemning US-Israeli aggression on Iran

TEHRAN - September 9, the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, is a reminder of one of the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: schools, universities, teachers and students must be protected from the violence of war.

Iran moves to accelerate UN Narcotic Drugs Commission membership

TEHRAN – Iranian officials have discussed ways to expedite the country’s membership in the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs and strengthen regional cooperation in this regard.

Qeshm, Taining Geoparks partner for natural heritage, sustainable development

TEHRAN - Iran’s Qeshm Island Geopark and China’s Taining Geopark have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help protect geological and natural heritage, while promoting sustainable development and supporting local communities.

GII 2026 places Tehran 65th among top 100 science and technology clusters

TEHRAN – The Global Innovation Index (GII) has ranked Tehran as the world’s 65th-largest science and technology (S&T) cluster this year, according to a report released by the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Some 75 foreign companies attending Pharmex intl. exhibition 2026

TEHRAN – A total of 547 knowledge-based firms, including 75 foreign companies, are participating in the 8th Pharmex international exhibition being held in Tehran from September 8 to 10.

World Alzheimer’s Month: early dementia diagnosis matters

TEHRAN – September, observed as World Alzheimer’s Month, provides an important opportunity to raise awareness among the public and healthcare professionals about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, their various aspects, and the challenges they present.

Iran proposes regional action plan to preserve Caspian seal

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted a draft regional action plan aimed at preserving the Caspian seal to the Secretariat of the Tehran Convention for consideration at the ministerial meeting of the Caspian littoral states.

Tehran, Hanoi discuss ways to bolster scientific cooperation

TEHRAN — Ehsan Qaboul, head of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology’s Center for International Scientific Cooperation, and Nguyen Luong Ngoc, Vietnam’s ambassador to Iran, have discussed opportunities to strengthen and expand scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

Iranian students achieve milestones at international Olympiads despite war

TEHRAN – Talented Iranian students have achieved remarkable success at international Olympiads, winning 13 medals and securing the championship title at the International Physics Olympiad despite the numerous challenges posed by the US-Israeli war against the country.

Mustafa Foundation launches blockchain platform for global scientific support

TEHRAN – Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation unveiled a new platform powered by blockchain technology on Saturday to enable Muslims around the world to participate more easily in programs and projects of the Foundation.

Iran hosts over 40% of world’s rare plant species: study

TEHRAN — A comprehensive international study has found that Iran is home to 75 of the world’s 180 known species of Melanocrommyum, underscoring the country’s status as a major global hotspot for plant biodiversity.

Iranian, Iraqi universities explore potential to foster ties in AI

TEHRAN – The chancellor of Sharif University of Technology, Masoud Tajrishi, and the president of Al-Zahra University for Women, Zeinab Al-Sultani, have discussed expanding academic cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) and generative systems, particularly in postgraduate education.

Health projects in food and pharmaceutical sectors near completion

TEHRAN - Thirteen health development projects in the food and pharmaceutical sectors at medical sciences universities are nearing completion, with priority given to projects that have reached more than 70 percent physical progress.