27-01-2025
Oman to host Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the Sultanate of Oman will be established in the Sultanate of Oman as a regional hub for technology and innovation.
The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology recently signed the agreement at the World Economic Forum to start of operation of the center in the first quarter of 2025
The center achieves the goals of Oman Vision 2024 by adopting the latest technologies and supporting the digital economy, promoting digital innovation and environmental sustainability, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, and developing regulatory frameworks for data governance and artificial intelligence.
It will seek to increase the contribution of the digital economy to GDP through its focus areas through the application of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, data governance, development of regulatory frameworks for cross-border data governance, and the use of artificial intelligence.
It will also develop AI applications to support sustainable climate solutions and exchange experiences with networks of Fourth Industrial Revolution centers worldwide.
The expansion of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network is predicated on the understanding
that different regions will have different priorities for using technology to address key challenges. Centers choose specific thematic focus areas on which to focus their work and pilot programs.
This year, there are seven core thematic areas of research and impact generation: ushering in the Intelligent Age; transforming agriculture and food
systems; revolutionizing health and biotechnology; accelerating the energy transition and sustainability; innovating mobility with autonomous systems; upskilling tomorrow's workforce; stimulating investments and competitiveness; and fostering partnerships and communities.
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation has galloped forward, completely shifting global priorities and ushering in what has been dubbed the Intelligent Age, where AI and advanced automation become ubiquitous in technology and its increasing applications.
With many regions confronting the question of global food security, centers look to address this challenge through technology application in traditional farming and by innovating food systems entirely to elevate the alternative protein sector.
Global health and health education remain cornerstone sectors for societies, and centers are looking to expand knowledge and access to health information and education. This includes the enablement of state- or country-wide data sharing for health research, improved resources for healthcare workers, and access to education to drive health innovation.
