Oman Deepens AI Investment to Propel Digital Economy
Oman has allocated approximately OMR60 million towards artificial intelligence initiatives between 2021 and 2024, as part of its strategic drive to position itself as a regional leader in digital innovation. This investment, overseen by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, underscores the sultanate's commitment to integrating AI across various sectors to enhance public service efficiency and stimulate economic growth.
The National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies, launched in September 2024, serves as the cornerstone of this initiative. Spanning from 2024 to 2026, the programme encompasses a range of projects aimed at aligning Oman with global advancements in AI. Key components include the establishment of a national open data platform to support entrepreneurs and decision-makers, a national centre for AI research and development to assist academics, and an AI 'studio' designed as a collaborative space for specialists and organizations seeking technological solutions.
A significant aspect of the programme is the development of an Omani language model powered by generative AI, which will be trained on the nation's cultural, historical, artistic, and scientific content. This initiative aims to preserve and promote Omani heritage while fostering technological advancement. Additionally, the programme plans to establish a centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and the World Economic Forum, and to implement quantum computing initiatives to enhance research and development in the field.
In alignment with these efforts, the Ministry of Economy launched the 'National Initiative to Empower a National Economy Enhanced by Artificial Intelligence' in June 2024. This initiative, with an earmarked budget of OMR10 million for 2024 projects, seeks to integrate AI applications into development projects and programmes within the economic diversification sectors outlined in the 10th Five Year Plan . The initial phase targets government institutions and governorates, with plans to expand to other sectors subsequently.
See also CPX Appoints Tenet as Digital Growth Partner
Oman's commitment to ethical AI development is evident through its active participation in regional workshops and collaborations. In July 2024, the sultanate hosted a regional workshop on the Islamic World AI Charter, emphasizing the necessity of drafting legal and ethical frameworks to govern AI applications. The workshop, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in partnership with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, brought together experts and representatives from ICESCO Member States to discuss ethical principles and governance mechanisms for AI.
Furthering its commitment to responsible AI use, Oman held a workshop in October 2024 focusing on the role of AI ethics in education. The event, part of the activities of the ICESCO Chair for Artificial Intelligence Ethics, aimed to explore the potential benefits and risks of AI in educational contexts, identify best practices, and develop clear ethical guidelines for integrating AI into education systems.
Oman's efforts have been recognized internationally, with the sultanate securing the 45th position globally in the 2024 Government AI Readiness Index published by Oxford Insights. This ranking reflects Oman's progress in adopting and integrating AI into government systems and operations, highlighting its commitment to leveraging AI for national development and enhancing digital transformation in line with Vision 2040.
Looking ahead, Oman plans to release a revised national AI policy in the first quarter of 2025. The updated policy aims to establish a comprehensive governance framework for the development and use of AI technologies while safeguarding national interests. It will address key areas such as ethical AI use, data privacy, and the integration of AI across critical sectors, including healthcare, education, and logistics. The policy also focuses on fostering innovation, attracting investment, and building local AI capabilities to position Oman as a regional leader in advanced technologies.
See also Nscale Seeks $2.7 Billion Amid ByteDance Deal and Debt
In a strategic move to bolster its AI capabilities, the Oman Investment Authority , the sultanate's sovereign wealth fund, acquired a stake in xAI, an AI company founded by Elon Musk, in December 2024. This investment aligns with Oman's broader economic diversification goals and its ambition to expand the digital economy's contribution to the Gross Domestic Product from 2 percent to 5 percent by 2030 and 10 percent by 2040.
Hashtags
- BusinessFinanceEconomicsSciencePolitics#Omani#OMR60#NationalProgrammeforArtificialIntelligenceandAdvancedDigitalTechnologies#FourthIndustrialRevolution#NationalInitiativetoEmpoweraNationalEconomyEnhanced#MinistryofTransport#CommunicationsandInformationTechnology#MinistryofEconomy#WorldEconomicForum#Tenet
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Middle East Eye
How big tech and populism are upending 'western values'
The highly tense and polarised situation within the US and EU raises unprecedented challenges, especially amid the ongoing shifting of the global order from a unipolar to a multipolar one. Since the beginning the of the 21st century, the world has been embroiled in a series of crises: the war on terror, the global financial crisis, intensifying climate change, a worldwide pandemic, and a renewed great-power competition. This uneasy landscape has been further complicated by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, of which artificial intelligence is the most compelling and pervasive example, alongside the crisis of globalisation, the rise of China and the start of the second Trump administration. On the latter point, US President Donald Trump is now contesting, if not repudiating, the same world order that Washington created, managed and enforced over the past eight decades. His administration is wielding its new army of big tech companies in an alleged pursuit of a political, economic, cultural and social metamorphosis of humankind. It is not yet clear whether these big tech players will be a tool in the hands of Trump's 'America First' vision, or vice versa. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters As the late former secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, remarked seven years ago: 'Trump may be one of those figures in history who appears from time to time to mark the end of an era and to force it to give up its old pretences. It doesn't necessarily mean that he knows this, or that he is considering any great alternative. It could just be an accident.' New words have emerged in the current lexicon to explain this epochal change, such as techno-feudalism, techno-optimism and 'Dark Enlightenment'. A cast of characters from big tech - somewhere between CEOs and gurus - are now influencing politics, economics and the relationship between humans and technology to an unprecedented degree. 'Shadow empire' Some of these figures are in the spotlight daily, such as Tesla's Elon Musk, Open AI's Sam Altman and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, while others seem more comfortable leading from behind the scenes. Some are perceived as the vanguard of 'reactionary acceleration', while others, like Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel, who mentored Vice President JD Vance, portrays this period as the 'dusky final weeks of our interregnum' - or, if you prefer, the last days of an ancien regime; a sort of twilight, or worse, an apocalypse. It may be that change of era of which the late Pope Francis warned five years ago in his astute encyclical 'Fratelli Tutti' (All Brothers). Both European and American liberal-democratic establishments believe this change brings a fundamental threat to democracy and western societies, along with the 'values' upon which they are built. Who ultimately has the right to decide who's in and who's out? In normal times, this power would be in the hands of the electors They seem terrified by the possible rise of what has been described brilliantly, but disturbingly, as a 'shadow empire' driven by big tech magnates. At the same time, the rise of far-right movements in the US and Europe is seen as a clear and present danger that requires a 'whatever it takes' approach to keep these parties out of power. These widespread fears could explain some unprecedented developments in recent months in France, Germany and Romania. In France, Marine Le Pen's National Rally made significant gains in last year's legislative elections, despite a massive mobilisation against the party - but now a criminal conviction could derail her future political prospects. In Germany, a similar mobilisation occurred against the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), but the party still managed to double its vote share in February elections. Yet it now risks being banned after Germany's spy agency classified AfD as 'extremist', allowing for increased state monitoring. Populists on the rise The most stunning event, however, was in Romania, where presidential elections were cancelled by the country's constitutional court last December after the first round was won by far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, amid allegations of Russian interference. Among the evidence cited in the declassified Romanian intelligence documents used to justify this decision was a coordinated TikTok campaign - but an investigative report later revealed that the centre-right National Liberal Party had paid for the campaign, which was hijacked to benefit Georgescu, who was subsequently banned from standing in the new election. Paris, Berlin and Bucharest have thus provided compelling examples of what 'whatever it takes' might mean. Amusingly, such behaviour drew criticism from Vance - not exactly a champion in the observance of democratic values - during his recent speech at the Munich Security Conference. The new fascism: Israel is the template for Trump and Europe's war on freedom Read More » 'For years, we've been told that everything we fund and support is in the name of our shared democratic values. Everything from our Ukraine policy to digital censorship is billed as a defence of democracy,' Vance said. 'But when we see European courts cancelling elections and senior officials threatening to cancel others, we ought to ask whether we're holding ourselves to an appropriately high standard.' The bare facts, however, are that some of these populist forces are already in power, from Trump and his Maga supporters in the US; to Giorgia Meloni, now into her third year as Italy's prime minister; to the relaxed Viktor Orban who rules Hungary; to Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has already survived an assassination attempt. Similar political forces appear to be on the rise in other countries. Some polls show a commanding lead for Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. In Poland, an EU sceptic has just been elected president. Curiously, there is not much pushback over the questionable tactics and techniques being employed across Europe in efforts to keep far-right contenders out of power. Are such moves justifiable to bar from office allegedly undemocratic political figures and movements? Who ultimately has the right to decide who's in and who's out? In normal times, this power would be in the hands of the electors - but these do not seem to be normal times. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
Sharjah launches proactive plan for 5,600 trips during Eid Al Adha holiday
The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) has put together a special plan for the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday. This initiative is aimed at making sure travellers can enjoy comfortable and safe transportation as they celebrate the Eid. With an increase in people wanting to travel during this festive time, the SRTA is stepping up its services to ensure everyone can move smoothly between different areas in Sharjah and beyond. Engineer Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, the head of the SRTA, highlighted the importance of being well-prepared during holidays. He noted that during the Eid holiday in 2025, which runs from June 5 to 8, there will be a noticeable rise in public transport users. To handle this, the SRTA has made plans to operate 180 buses on various routes, aiming to complete around 5,600 trips over the four days. During peak times, buses will come every 5 minutes instead of the usual 45-minute wait. This means shorter waiting times and more convenience for everyone traveling. The authority is committed to making travel easy for people visiting family or exploring popular destinations, both within the emirate and outside it. They are also increasing staff at busy bus stations, especially the Jubail Bus Station, which will be open from early morning until late at night to accommodate the larger number of passengers expected during this busy holiday. The Authority has improved bus services in Sharjah City for the Eid holiday, making travel easier for everyone. They are running a total of 1,144 bus trips each day across 12 different routes, using 104 buses that connect to 543 stops around the city. During the Eid Al Adha holiday, there will be a special boat service operating between Sharjah and Dubai. Abdul Aziz Al Jarwan, who is in charge of transport at the local authority, announced that there will be four daily trips. These boats will leave from the Aquarium Station in Sharjah and arrive at Al Ghubaiba Station in Dubai, working together with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority. Al Jarwan shared that the Authority is working closely with the Omani transport company, Mwasalat, to run international route 203. This route connects Sharjah with Muscat, the capital of Oman, and offers two flights each day. This service is expected to encourage tourism between the two countries, especially during the Eid holidays. Passengers can board at Jubail station and travel to Al Athaiba station, making stops along the way. Tickets can be purchased online through Mwasalat Oman's website or at their service points. WAM
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Sharjah 24
SRTA launches proactive plan for 5600 trips during Eid
Engineer Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, the head of the SRTA, highlighted the importance of being well-prepared during holidays. He noted that during the Eid al-Adha holiday in 2025, which runs from June 5 to 8, there will be a noticeable rise in public transport users. To handle this, the SRTA has made plans to operate 180 buses on various routes, aiming to complete around 5,600 trips over the four days. During peak times, buses will come every 5 minutes instead of the usual 45-minute wait. This means shorter waiting times and more convenience for everyone traveling. The authority is committed to making travel easy for people visiting family or exploring popular destinations, both within the emirate and outside it. They are also increasing staff at busy bus stations, especially the Jubail Bus Station, which will be open from early morning until late at night to accommodate the larger number of passengers expected during this busy holiday. Regular comprehensive trips The Authority has improved bus services in Sharjah City for the Eid holiday, making travel easier for everyone. They are running a total of 1,144 bus trips each day across 12 different routes, using 104 buses that connect to 543 stops around the city. Al-Othmani pointed out that these efforts are part of a plan to create a well-rounded public transport system that meets the growing need for travel during busy times like holidays. He noted that Route 22 will not be in service during the Eid holiday because the Souq Al Haraj market is closed. To make things easier for passengers, they have made some changes, including quicker arrival times and more ticket sales points at bus stations and inside buses, to minimize delays and crowding. To manage passenger flow, especially at the Jubail station, the teams have stepped up their preparations. They have increased the number of staff on duty and are providing the necessary support to ensure smooth operations. They are also allowing people to book bus tickets in advance and are keeping a close eye on how things are running to maintain a high level of service. Maritime transport During the Eid Al Adha holiday, there will be a special boat service operating between Sharjah and Dubai. Abdul Aziz Al Jarwan, who is in charge of transport at the local authority, announced that there will be four daily trips. These boats will leave from the Aquarium Station in Sharjah and arrive at Al Ghubaiba Station in Dubai, working together with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority. The trips will run from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a boat leaving every two hours. Each journey will take about 35 minutes. Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the station at least 15 minutes before their departure to ensure a smooth boarding process. This service is designed to provide more transportation options for everyone and help connect different types of transport. Promoting tourism Al Jarwan shared that the Authority is working closely with the Omani transport company, Mwasalat, to run international route 203. This route connects Sharjah with Muscat, the capital of Oman, and offers two flights each day. This service is expected to encourage tourism between the two countries, especially during the Eid holidays. Passengers can board at Jubail station and travel to Al Athaiba station, making stops along the way. Tickets can be purchased online through Mwasalat Oman's website or at their service points. Public engagement Al Jarwan mentioned that during the Eid holiday, a special call center will be available 24 hours a day to help people book taxis. This includes different types of vehicles like regular taxis, family-sized cars, options for women, vehicles for those with special needs, and electric cars. You can make reservations by phone, through a smartphone app, or by visiting a website. The call center keeps an eye on all the bookings to make sure taxis arrive as fast as possible. It also welcomes feedback from the public regarding bus and taxi services, helps with reports of lost bags, and answers questions about the services offered across the emirate, including Sharjah City and other regions. He highlighted that the call center plays a vital role in connecting with the community, gathering and analyzing feedback to improve services in the future.
