His Excellency Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT), announced the official launch of Oman’s National Program for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Advanced Digital Technologies, highlighting information and communications technology (ICT) as one of the strategic foundations driving the economy.
Under the framework of Oman Vision 2040, the initiative will extend from 2024 until 2026. This initiative serves as an upgrade to the Executive Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies launched in 2022.
Emphasizing the importance of implementing and localizing AI technologies, His Excellency and the MTCIT remain steadfast in building a digital economy that promotes sustainable development by establishing a national program.
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National Program Pillars
The MTCIT’s program aims to harness the transformative potential of AI to drive the country’s economic and developmental sectors. The program aligns with Oman’s ambition to rank among the top 50 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index.
The program includes the following pillars:
- Enhancing and Adopting AI in Economic and Developmental Sectors: This supports the application of AI across various sectors, enhancing quality and operational efficiency.
- Localizing AI Technologies: Through the promotion of public-private partnerships, the program aims to cultivate local capabilities and talents, strengthen technical infrastructures, and support cutting-edge, AI-driven research and developments.
- AI Applications Governance with a Human-Centered Vision: This pillar is central to creating legislative and regulatory frameworks, ensuring the safe use of AI technologies, and protecting data.
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National Program Initiatives
The program will facilitate numerous initiatives to advance AI adoptions and digital technological efforts across Oman.
The following AI and technology-based initiatives are projected to significantly boost the digital economy’s contribution to Oman’s GDP to 10% by 2040:
- Establishing the National Open Data Platform to provide open data for entrepreneurs, investors, and decision-makers.
- Creating a National Center for AI Research and Development to support researchers and academics.
- Establishing an AI Studio to serve as a meeting point for AI specialists and companies seeking technical solutions using AI.
- Developing an Omani language model—Oman GPT—trained on Omani cultural, historical, artistic, and scientific content through generative AI.
- Establishing a Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
- Implementing quantum computing initiatives to raise awareness and enhance research and development.
The program aims to enhance efficiency, lower operational costs, and increase productivity throughout various sectors by integrating AI and digital technologies, driving sustainable economic growth.
Furthermore, these efforts will promote digital innovation, enhance the Omani youth’s digital competitiveness, and bolster Oman’s position as a global hub for AI innovation.
Oman’s commitment to advancing its economy in alignment with its Vision 2040 is reflected in the implementation of the national program. This strategic move will enable Oman to keep pace with the swift global digital transformations while driving sustainable economic development.
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