Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has initiated the "National Programme for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Advanced Digital Technologies".
The commencement of this new initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which aims to integrate information and communications technologies as a foundation for the development of key sectors within the national economy.
The scope of the program spans from 2024 to 2026 and encompasses a variety of initiatives and projects designed to keep pace with global advancements in the field of artificial intelligence.
The program envisages the establishment of several key entities, including a national platform for open data to facilitate entrepreneurs, investors, and decision-makers; a national center for research and development in artificial intelligence to support scholars and academics; a "studio" serving as a hub for IT specialists, companies, and institutions in search of technical solutions; an Omani language model that will be enriched with content related to Omani culture, history, art, and science through generative AI; and a center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
Furthermore, the program includes the implementation of computing initiatives aimed at raising awareness, enhancing research, and adopting computing applications.
Eng. Said Hamoud Al Ma'awali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, has stated that this program represents an enhancement of the Executive Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies, which was launched in 2022.
Al Ma'awali has informed Oman News Agency (ONA) that his Ministry is committed to laying a solid foundation for the application of AI and advanced digital technologies within the Sultanate of Oman. The overarching goal is to foster a digital economy capable of sustaining development.
The program places a particular emphasis on the integration of AI applications within economic and development sectors with the objective of localizing advanced digital technologies, promoting good governance, and advancing Oman’s position in global rankings, aiming to secure a place among the top 50 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index.
The National AI Programme underscores the Sultanate of Oman’s dedication to leveraging the latest digital technologies for the enhancement of its national economy and the realization of Oman Vision 2040.
It is anticipated that initiatives to support emerging AI technology companies and to bolster investments will contribute to the establishment of new AI data centers.
Moreover, these initiatives are expected to significantly increase the contribution of the digital economy to Oman’s GDP, aiming for a target of 10 percent by 2040, a marked increase from the current 2 percent in 2021.
