Israel's National AI Directorate Launches Flagship Initiatives Including Quantum Computing Platform and Physical AI Infrastructure

Aug 4, 2026

On August 4, 2026, Israel's National AI Directorate and the Ministry of Finance launched flagship initiatives to secure technological sovereignty. The plans include Project Nexus, a multi-stage tender for a locally produced quantum computer, alongside Requests for Information to establish a national Physical AI testing ground and develop sovereign foundational models. These projects translate Government Decision 4255 into practical contractual mechanisms to support the domestic tech ecosystem.

National AI Directorate launches

▪The newly launched initiatives include Project Nexus, a Request for Information for Physical AI infrastructure, and a Request for Information for AI models.
▪The Israeli National AI Directorate and the Ministry of Finance Accountant General's Department launched a series of inaugural applied projects on August 4, 2026.

Government Decision 4255 implementation

▪The Special Tenders Committee for National AI Directorate affairs approved the publication of tenders and Requests for Information to implement the national plan.
▪The applied projects are launched pursuant to Government Decision 4255 and the formulation of Israel's national artificial intelligence strategy.

Project Nexus quantum computer

▪The Israeli government will procure a quantum computer only once the technology reaches sufficient maturity, a process expected to take years.
▪The Israel Innovation Authority launched a separate initiative to establish a national quantum research and development infrastructure integrating three processing technologies.
▪Project Nexus is a tender to establish a locally produced national quantum computing platform to support diverse domestic technologies.

Physical AI testing ground

▪The proposed Physical AI facility will simulate edge-case scenarios in environments including highways, medical facilities, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture.
▪The National AI Directorate published a Request for Information to examine establishing a national testing ground for Physical AI simulations.

Foundational models sovereignty

▪The foundational models initiative aims to map domestic market capabilities and identify policies to maximize Israel's comparative advantages.
▪The National AI Directorate published a Request for Information to characterize national action paths and establish Israeli sovereignty in foundational models.

Finance Ministry procurement coordination

▪The Finance Ministry Accountant General's Department collaborates with the National AI Directorate to translate government decisions into practical contractual mechanisms.
▪The Special Tenders Committee is chaired by Evyatar Peretz, the Senior Finance Ministry Deputy Accountant General for Innovation and Technology.