Muscat, Oman – The Sultanate of Oman has climbed five ranks in the 2024 Government AI Readiness Index, now standing at 45th out of 193 countries globally. This improvement underscores Oman’s commitment to AI-driven innovation as part of its digital economy initiative, focusing on localizing AI technologies, human-centric governance, and sector-wide advancements.

AI Integration and Strategic Programs

Oman’s National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies is spearheading integration, localization, and ethical AI governance. One successful initiative, the “Engineer it with AI” competition, resulted in eight generative AI applications reaching global marketplaces.

The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology has piloted AI-powered projects in:

Agriculture
Urban planning
Air quality monitoring
Drone surveying
Smart fish farms

These trials evaluate feasibility before large-scale implementation.

AI Research and Financial Investment

The Ministry of Higher Education launched a Strategic Research Programme, ensuring AI research aligns with national priorities. A key initiative at the National University of Science and Technology explores the benefits and risks of generative AI in education, developing data-driven models for future policies.

In financial commitments, Oman has allocated:

OMR10 million in 2023
OMR15 million in 2024 Total AI investment between 2021 and 2024 has reached OMR60 million, reinforcing Oman’s vision to become a regional AI hub.

Future AI Milestones

Oman GPT, a national language model, is in development to enhance public sector efficiency.
Oman Studio, an AI innovation hub, will connect talented professionals with industry needs.
Oman is establishing a Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre, expected to open in early 2025, becoming the sixth such centre in the Middle East and 22nd globally.

Looking Ahead

With a target of 20% annual growth in AI-related investments, Oman is steadily advancing its AI readiness while laying the foundation for cutting-edge technological infrastructure in the region.