Muscat: The eagerly awaited event highlighted innovative AI applications that are revolutionizing various sectors in Oman, underscoring Microsoft's steadfast dedication to facilitating the country's ambitious digital transformation efforts.
20 February 2025; Muscat, Oman – The global AI Tour by Microsoft made its way to Muscat today, uniting industry leaders, developers, and government representatives to delve into the transformative capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in propelling Oman's digital evolution. This exclusive gathering showcased state-of-the-art AI solutions that empower organizations across different sectors to foster innovation, improve operational efficiency, and create new avenues for economic advancement.
The event included keynote presentations from senior Microsoft executives, such as Samer Abu-Ltaif, President of Microsoft Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); Charles Nahas, Regional General Manager for Commercial Solutions in the Middle East; and Harry Kambanis, Business Group Leader for Business Applications in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
During his opening remarks, Samer Abu-Ltaif highlighted the crucial influence of AI on Oman's future: “It is an honor to be here today in Oman, a country that has consistently embraced technological advancement as a catalyst for economic development and national progress. Microsoft's engagement in the Sultanate has spanned over two decades, reflecting our long-term commitment to the growth and prosperity of this nation. As Oman moves towards its Vision 2040 goals, our mission remains clear: to deliver top-tier cloud and AI solutions that empower Omani organizations to excel, paving the way for a future characterized by sustainable growth and innovation.”
Sheikh Saif Hilal Al Hosni, Country Manager for Microsoft Oman and Bahrain, remarked that businesses in Oman are increasingly viewing AI as a vital catalyst for innovation, efficiency, and competitive edge. He emphasized that Microsoft is leading the way in empowering organizations across various sectors to harness the latest AI advancements to address current challenges and create significant business outcomes. The ongoing partnerships with prominent Omani organizations demonstrate Microsoft's dedication to providing them with top-tier AI and cloud solutions, which are essential for shaping the future of Oman’s digital economy.
Joining Al Hosni on stage was Ahmed Al Habib, Head of IT – PMO at Oman Housing Bank, who highlighted the bank's implementation of Microsoft 365 Copilot to boost productivity and operational efficiency.
In closing, Al Hosni expressed gratitude to Microsoft’s partners involved in the ‘Microsoft AI Tour in Muscat’ event, particularly IITC, Netways, TeKnowledge, Wizard Cyber, Insomea, and Gulf Leaders Circle. He conveyed his aspirations for ongoing collaboration to promote AI adoption and innovation within the Sultanate.
Gulf Leaders Circle, the exclusive media partner for the Microsoft AI Tour Oman, had the opportunity to interview key industry leaders who are driving transformation through Microsoft AI.
Oussama Dannawi, Regional Sales Manager at Netways, underscored the crucial importance of data, noting that Microsoft’s AI tools empower Netways to transform raw data into actionable insights, thereby enhancing operations and improving customer service.
IITC (OHI Group) – Oussam Henein, the Managing Director of IITC, emphasized the longstanding 40-year collaboration between OHI Group and Microsoft. OHI operates an academy that trains over 500 individuals in Microsoft Copilot skills, creating new business opportunities for both Microsoft and OHI.
TeKnowledge – Mahmood Lockhat, the Chief Technology Officer, pointed out that TeKnowledge ranks among the top five global partners in the tech-managed services sector, providing support to Microsoft customers. With a workforce of around 4,000 engineers, the company utilizes Copilot to enhance value and deliver innovative solutions effectively.
UTAS (University of Technology and Applied Sciences) – Dr. Huda Al-Shuaily, Vice Chancellor for Electronic Systems and Student Services, along with Faiza Al Jabri, IT Manager for the Education, Technology, and Infrastructure Department, highlighted UTAS's partnership with Microsoft. This collaboration is improving platform development, operational efficiency, and infrastructure scalability. The implementation of Microsoft Copilot has enabled the establishment of an AI-driven vending zone and has optimized 24/7 online application processes while maintaining security, privacy, identity protection, and resource scalability.
The AI Tour showcased Microsoft's partnerships with prominent Omani organizations that are utilizing AI to improve their operations and foster innovation:
● The Ministry of Education has implemented Microsoft AI solutions to introduce an advanced AI-driven chatbot, offering immediate access to information. Additionally, the Ministry is integrating Microsoft Copilot to empower both teachers and students, enhancing their educational practices.
● The University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) is equipping instructors with Microsoft Copilot to facilitate the efficient creation and organization of course materials, along with an AI-powered assistant within their Learning Management System.
● Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) has adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot to boost operational efficiency and productivity. With a focus on security, they have also implemented Microsoft AI-powered Security to safeguard their systems against cyber threats.
● OQ has embraced Microsoft 365 Copilot to improve productivity and operational efficiency. Moreover, OQ has developed AI solutions for candidate screening, aiding employees in streamlining business processes and enhancing work efficiency.
The AI Tour in Muscat also recognized local innovation through the AI Excellence Awards, which honored Omani organizations that have successfully implemented AI solutions. The awards highlighted the achievements of the Ministry of Education of Oman, the National Centre for Statistics and Information of Oman (NCSI), Oman Housing Bank, Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), OQ SAOC, Renaissance Services SAOC, and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS). Each organization was celebrated for their substantial contributions to AI implementation, resulting in transformative advancements within their respective fields.
The event included comprehensive sessions focused on Microsoft’s premier AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Agents, aimed at transforming the workplace and enhancing productivity. Additional discussions explored Responsible AI practices, highlighting Microsoft’s commitment to ethical and transparent AI implementation. Experts from Microsoft demonstrated the cutting-edge AI features of the Microsoft Surface lineup. Business leaders and IT professionals had the opportunity to see how Surface AI PCs and the latest Copilot+ PCs work in harmony with Microsoft Copilot and other AI solutions to enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and creativity.
The Microsoft AI Tour in Oman highlighted the company’s steadfast dedication to nurturing a vibrant digital ecosystem within the nation. As AI continues to reshape various sectors, Microsoft is committed to providing Omani businesses, government organizations, and developers with the necessary tools, resources, and expertise to fully leverage AI’s capabilities. The event showcased the transformative impact of AI and the endless opportunities it offers for driving innovation and economic development throughout Oman.
