Latest news with #OmarAl-Omar
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's oil sector embraces AI with new Innovation Center
Collaboration with Microsoft aims to drive smarter drilling, reduce costs KUWAIT: Kuwait's Oil Minister Tareq Al-Roumi announced on Thursday the opening of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Center under Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), aiming to connect oil field production with AI technologies. 'By using AI, we aim to increase productivity, improve operational performance, and reduce costs,' he said. Speaking at the launch event in Ahmadi, Al-Roumi described the center as 'part of the Petroleum Corporation's strategy for digital transformation in energy.' Officials expected the center to play an integral role in advancing operational efficiency while lowering costs across Kuwait's oil sector, especially as the country plans to increase production capacity to four million barrels per day by 2035. Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, highlighted the center's practical impact. 'It will reduce the number of days needed to drill a single well and increase the efficiency of drilling operations,' he said. But he stressed the indispensable role of human expertise alongside AI. 'No matter how fast and accurate AI is, human intelligence surpasses it.' President of Microsoft for Middle East and Africa (MEA) Naim Yazbeck Microsoft partnership The launch ceremony was attended by senior officials including Minister of State for Communications Omar Al-Omar and the Director-General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The AI center is one of the early fruits of the strategic partnership between Kuwait and Microsoft, said Minister of Communications Omar Al-Omar. Announced in March of this year, the partnership includes the establishment of a Microsoft Azure Region in Kuwait. The US software giant was also set to establish a Technology Innovation Hub, including an AI Innovation Center and a Cloud Center of Excellence. KOC CEO Ahmed Al-Eidan called the AI Innovation Center 'a new strategic milestone in the company's journey' and a practical embodiment of Kuwait's vision for digital transformation and innovation in the energy sector. He pointed to the company's early investments in cutting-edge technologies, especially through 'our strategic partnership with Microsoft.' He added that since launching this collaboration, KOC has achieved tangible results such as 'smarter wells that use real-time data analysis, more accurate production forecasts that improve decision quality, and an AI-powered drilling schedule platform that boosts output and reduces downtime.' '(The center) will be the cornerstone for Kuwait's energy industry future for decades to come,' he said. Kuwaitis at the core During the launch event, a live demonstration showcased an AI-driven drilling platform scheduling project — a breakthrough in real-time operational data management and predictive analytics aligned with Kuwait Vision 2035. This initiative enables KOC to leverage advanced analytics and AI for a flexible, integrated decision-making system that seamlessly connects operations, projects, and data. Microsoft's Regional Head for the Middle East and Africa, Naim Yazbeck, described the center's opening as 'a historic event and a milestone in Kuwait's national transformation towards an advanced knowledge economy.' Yazbeck said the center is 'not just a training facility but a comprehensive platform for building the future and a strategic foundation for operational excellence, sustainability, and empowering national talent who will lead this transformation with Kuwaiti minds at the core.' He outlined three pillars of the partnership with KOC: 'empowering national competencies, joint innovation, and improving operational network efficiency.' Through their partnership with KOC, Microsoft is committed to developing a new generation of national engineers, analysts, and experts equipped to lead this transformation effectively, he added. 'When KOC's deep operational expertise meets advanced AI capabilities, smart and customized solutions can be developed to address real challenges and push production efficiency to new heights,' Yazbeck said. — Agencies
Kuwait News Agency
6 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait News Agency
Kuwait State Communication Affairs Min.: AI Center product of Microsoft partnership
General KUWAIT, Aug 7 (KUNA) -- Minister of State for Communication Affairs Omar Al-Omar said on Thursday that Kuwait Oil Company's (KOC) new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center is the first concrete result of Kuwait's strategic partnership with Microsoft. At the opening in KOC's Ahmadi headquarters-- attended by Minister of Oil Tareq Al-Roumi, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah, and Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) Director General Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Sabah -- Al-Omar said in a statement that the facility would weave advanced AI tools into KOC's daily technical work, saving time, effort and money. Officials hope to replicate this model across other sectors, he added. Meanwhile, President of Microsoft for Middle East and Africa (MEA) Naim Yazbeck called the launch a historic turning point in Kuwait's drive toward a knowledge-based economy. He said Microsoft recently expanded its Kuwait presence because it trusts the country's potential and is committed to supporting a full digital transformation. The partnership, he noted, focuses on training Kuwaiti talent, developing tailored AI solutions and using data analytics to sharpen real-time decisions that improve production and transport networks, with KDIPA's support. Yazbeck underlined that the center is more than a training lab; it is an integrated platform for future innovation, operational excellence and sustainability, designed to equip young Kuwaiti professionals with cutting-edge skills. Engineers demonstrated the first major project - an AI system that schedules drilling rigs in real time, instantly analyzes operational data and offers predictive recommendations. Executives say the tool will cut costs, boost productivity and advance the country's New Kuwait 2035 vision. Overall, the center aims to accelerate AI adoption across KOC, reduce operating costs, improve decision-making and keep Kuwait's energy sector aligned with global technological trends. (pickup previous)
Kuwait Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait partakes in WSIS Forum 2025
Kuwait partakes in WSIS Forum 2025 GENEVA: The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2025 commenced in Geneva with the participation of Kuwait, represented by Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Omar Al-Omar, who is leading a high-level delegation. In her opening remarks, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Doreen Bogdan-Martin noted that the five-day forum brings together global stakeholders under a shared vision of building an inclusive information society. She emphasized the forum's continued role over the past two decades in shaping a digital future that serves all, describing it as a starting point for reinforcing multilateral efforts toward a more equitable and connected world. The forum serves as a global platform to assess progress and challenges since the launch of the Geneva Plan of Action in 2003, while enhancing international cooperation in digital innovation and sustainable development. Discussions will address key areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the evolving frameworks of global digital governance. Representatives from governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and academia are taking part in the forum, which will also feature the 2025 edition of the WSIS Prizes — recognizing outstanding projects that utilize information and communications technology (ICT) to advance sustainable development goals. WSIS Forum remains the only global platform mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to coordinate efforts in maximizing the developmental impact of digital technologies. Held alongside the AI for Good Summit, the forum runs until July 11 and is co-organized by the ITU and the Swiss government, in cooperation with UNESCO, the UN Development Program (UNDP), and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), with participation from over 40 UN agencies. — KUNA
Kuwait Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Minister discusses digital cooperation with Kenyan, Tanzanian counterparts
Minister of State for Communications, Chairman of the Digital Cooperation Organization Council for the current session (2025) Omar Al-Omar holds talks with Tanzanian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Gary Sila. GENEVA: Kuwaiti Minister of State for Communications Affairs and Chairman of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Council for 2025 Omar Al-Omar held separate meetings on Tuesday with Kenyan Minister of Information, Communications and Digital Economy William Kabugo and Tanzanian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Gary Sila. Minister of State for Communications, Chairman of the Digital Cooperation Organization Council for the current session (2025) Omar Al-Omar held separate meetings on Tuesday with Kenyan Minister of Information, Communications and Digital Economy William Kabugo. – KUNA photos The meetings took place at the Kuwaiti Mission to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, on the sidelines of Minister Al-Omar's participation in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fields of communications and information technology, in addition to promoting collaboration within the framework of the DCO and among its member states. The talks also addressed issues of common interest and the role of digital transformation in driving sustainable development. Kuwait assumed the presidency of the fifth session of the DCO General Assembly in February 2025, reaffirming its commitment to fostering inclusive digital growth and international collaboration. The DCO is a multilateral organization dedicated to advancing global digital prosperity by accelerating inclusive and sustainable growth across the digital economy. The meetings were attended by Acting Director General of the Central Agency for Information Technology Najat Hussein and Acting Head of the Infrastructure and Operations Sector at the National Authority for Digital Economy (NADI) Layali Al-Mansouri. — KUNA
Arab Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait plans to enhance Sahel app and broaden digital services
KUWAIT CITY, July 5: Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar on Saturday emphasized the ongoing commitment to enhance and update the government application 'Sahel,' aligning it with Kuwait's broader digitization goals and meeting the growing demand for efficient, secure digital services from citizens and residents. Al-Omar told KUNA that the Ministry recently convened an expanded meeting with Sahel's Executive Committee to assess recent developments and discuss future plans for expanding the digital services offered through the platform. He revealed that the upcoming phase will include the launch of new services and a stronger focus on integrating government agencies via improved data exchange and technical connectivity. Describing digitization as more than just a technical upgrade, the minister highlighted it as a comprehensive transformation in service delivery. 'Sahel is the practical embodiment of this approach,' he said, stressing its role as a central national platform that facilitates access to government services through a unified digital gateway. This streamlining significantly reduces time and effort for users while enhancing satisfaction with government performance. Al-Omar further stressed the importance of continued government support for the Sahel's executive committee, praising the collaborative efforts of the various teams involved. He underlined the need to intensify coordination with government agencies to accelerate the addition of new services, ensuring that 'service begins with the citizen and ends with him.' In addition to public services, the minister pointed out that the next development stage will focus heavily on advancing the Sahel Business application. This platform aims to better serve the private sector by enabling entrepreneurs and companies to complete transactions more easily and efficiently, reflecting Kuwait's comprehensive national strategy to digitize the business environment. The meeting included key figures such as Eng. Tareq Al-Darbas, Advisor to the Minister, Colonel Bashar Al-Sayed Hashem, Director of the Information Systems Department at the Ministry of Interior, Fajr Al-Yassin, Quality Control Supervisor at the Public Authority for Civil Information, and Amina Abdul Rahim, Systems Development Supervisor at the same authority. The government's ongoing digital transformation via Sahel is seen as a pivotal step toward increasing transparency, equitable access to services, and improved public spending efficiency.
