New National AI Policy to be unveiled soon
MUSCAT, JAN 29
The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology is targeting the publication of the National Artificial Intelligence Policy in the first quarter of 2025, according to officials.
Speaking at the Omani AI Summit earlier this week, Hassan Fida al Lawati, National Programme Head for Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Technology at the Ministry, shared that the new policy aims to reflect ongoing changes in this strategically important field.
He explained that a policy was previously published in 2021, but the updated version seeks to integrate developments in the sector in addition to factoring in feedback from industry stakeholders.
Last August, the Ministry published the draft version of the policy alongside a public survey in an effort to develop guidelines 'that reflect the needs and aspirations of all segments of society.' The policy, according to the Ministry, aims to provide a governing framework for the use and development of AI technologies, while safeguarding national interests and individual rights.
Last September, the Ministry launched the updated version of the Artificial Intelligence Executive Programme, a programme under the country's Digital Economy framework which aims to increase the contribution of the digital economy to the GDP from 2 per cent currently to 5 per cent by 2030 and 10 per cent by 2040.
More recently, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, shared that the volume of investment inflows into Oman's Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector amounted to RO 60 million in 2024.
Key AI initiatives for 2025 include the development of an Omani Large Language Model, the establishment of an AI Studio and the Open Data Platform.
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