In Keeping pace with global digital transformations, The Sultanate of Oman is accelerating its steps
towards achieving advanced levels in the approach of e-government and modern technology. It develops new tools and channels, taking advantage of the technical changes and opportunities emerging due to the successive industrial revolutions.
In line with Oman Vision 2040, which places information and communications technology as one of the empowering and motivating pillars to the service, economic and productive sectors, the government of the Sultanate of Oman adopts the National Program for the Digital Economy. This programme represents the strategic approach for building a prosperous digital economy that contributes effectively to the gross domestic product. It is considered as a continuation of the digitization strategies in the Sultanate of Oman starting from Oman Digital Strategy in 2003 and then the National Broadband Strategy in 2014.
The National Program for the Digital Economy seeks to double the digital economy in the gross domestic product, jumping from 2% in 2021 to reach 10% in 2040. In addition, the National Program for the Digital Economy aims for the Sultanate to occupy advanced ranks globally in the various digital economy indicators monitored by the Oman Vision 2040, such as the e-government development index and the network readiness index.
The National Digital Economy Program contains a number of medium-term executive programs such as the Government Digital Transformation Program, the Infrastructure Program, the Digital Industry Program, the E-Commerce Program, the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies Program, and the Space Program.
According to the 2020 Oxford Insight Artificial Intelligence Index for Government Readiness, the Sultanate of Oman ranks 48th globally and sixth in the Middle East. The index depends on various factors related to enabling areas of artificial intelligence, such as national countries’ strategies related to plans of adopting artificial intelligence applications, innovation capacity, digital capabilities, adaptation mechanisms, human capital, visions, governance system, and infrastructure.
To enhance the productivity of economic sectors, The Sultanate of Oman considers artificial intelligence as a vital enabler that can power a number of initiatives in the following economic and service sectors:
The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology initiated the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies in 2020 as part of its ministerial structure. This program is one of the executive programs of the National Program for the Digital Economy. Oman reviewed several countries' strategies in this field, such as China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Oman's objective is to establish the fundamental pillars for the application of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to create a viable and effective digital economy. This involves enhancing the productivity of targeted sectors for economic diversification through the comprehensive implementation of smart technologies in two primary sectors.
The first sector includes digital transformation, education, healthcare, telecommunications and information technology, security and defense, emergency and natural disaster management. The second sector covers economic diversification sectors, including logistics and transportation, industry, finance and banking, energy, culture and tourism, fisheries and agriculture, and mining.
The National Program for the Digital Economy oversees the following:
Developing a comprehensive national program for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, including policies, legislation, capacity building, research, innovation, manufacturing, investment, and startup development.
Coordinating and collaborating with stakeholders from the public and private sectors and academia to share requirements related to artificial intelligence and advanced technologies and integrating them with existing projects and initiatives.
Communicating and coordinating with local authorities, advanced countries, international organizations, and entities in relevant areas.
It is a goal closely linked to priorities and strategic objectives, stemming from the importance of developing cities and urban centers to be capable of growth and openness, and enhancing productivity and the ability for innovation and creativity, such as Al Irfan City, Al Duqm City, and Sultan Haitham City. These cities are the result of a comprehensive transformation journey pursued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning towards sustainable urban development for thriving communities through the implementation of national strategic urban development projects in alignment with Oman Vision 2040. Sultan Haitham City holds particular significance as it represents the cornerstone of future projects and a new model for building sustainable cities that emulate modern life and the aspirations of youth in the Sultanate of Oman.
The agreements signed during the first phase between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and several government and private entities aims to providing educational and healthcare services, expediting building permits for real estate developers, implementing road projects and basic infrastructure services for information technology, electricity, water, sewage, and irrigation networks, as well as enabling and developing smart city technologies with an investment of 10 million Omani Rials.
The city has adopted smart and integrated designs that provide an unprecedented level of privacy in residential units and are in harmony with future developments. The infrastructure is designed with engineering flexibility to accommodate the required adaptability for future population growth."
The Ministry of Health launched the (Tarasud) application to provide continuous information and updates to community members about Covid-19 in Sultanate of Oman. The application shows all relevant information, including the geographic spread of the epidemic. The Ministry also cooperated with the (Wareed) platform, which ensures delivery of medicines regularly to patients without the need to visit hospitals.
Developing reliable methods to overcome the obstacles that prevent the assessment of the freshness of fish. A scientific study was conducted (at the College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences) at Sultan Qaboos University to help evaluate the freshness of fish, through the use of advanced technologies such as the E-Nose and E-Tongue devices, which might be enhancers or even alternatives to traditional methods.
The Ministry of Economy has launched the "National Initiative for Empowering the National Economy with Artificial Intelligence" to integrate artificial intelligence applications and technologies into development projects and programs in the specific sectors outlined in the Tenth Five-Year Development Plan (2021-2025).
The "Smart Agriculture" project was adopted in the Million Palm Trees Project using modern technologies and robots, such as self-driving aircraft devices, for use during the pollination stage in addition to detecting agricultural diseases and pests.
“Smart water meters" have been installed in various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman to remotely monitor water consumption and reduce water loss. The meter also sends notifications directly to customers regarding meter readings. It is estimated that the project will achieve approximately 42 million Omani Rials in annual financial savings. Additionally, the "Nibras" platform has been developed by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to integrate the company's operations and detect any operational issues through an exception-based monitoring and automated operation system. Furthermore, smart electricity meters have been installed as part of the initiative launched by Nama Group.
Smart fire suppression devices are used for efficient fire detection, control, and extinguishing. Surveillance cameras and motion sensors are used in many institutions and government agencies, such as Oman's airports and border checkpoints, to ensure passenger safety and the overall security of the facilities. The Ministry of Education has also entered into an agreement to develop the "Safety Path" system to support school buses with the latest information and communication technologies. The system notifies school administrations if a student is left on the bus and alerts the school administration and the General Directorate of Education in the region if the bus deviates from its designated route. Furthermore, the system allows parents and ministry officials to remotely ensure the safety of their children by monitoring the bus's speed and notifying parents of the bus's departure time from school and its proximity to the home.
The Sultanate of Oman, according to Oman Vision 2040, aims to achieve high-quality education integrated with technology that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill-building. Artificial intelligence has become a tool that significantly streamlines learning, allowing learners to access and analyze information rapidly. Additionally, it provides adaptive educational content, especially in the context of technological advancements and advanced teaching tools.
The education sector made a significant leap during the COVID-19 pandemic by adopting alternative learning pathways to ensure the continuity of remote education. Numerous smart applications were developed to support both the teaching and learning processes. All supportive tools for virtual learning environments were leveraged. Teachers were trained both theoretically and practically to create digital educational content. Legal frameworks were also established for this purpose.
In May 2023, Sultan Qaboos University signed a cooperation agreement with the Chinese company StarVision for satellite technology and artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to launch the first Omani model of artificial intelligence into space, with the goal of localizing advanced technologies in Oman and increasing awareness of space technology among Omani youth. It also offers a unique opportunity for electrical engineering and computer science students at the university to gain practical experience in developing artificial intelligence algorithms to be deployed on the latest artificial intelligence satellite. It will also focus on tracking shipping vessels in the waters of Oman to protect the marine environment.
The Department of Innovation and Scientific Olympiads in Dhofar organizes annual competitions in scientific innovation. These competitions have instilled scientific inclinations in students, encouraging them to specialize in fields related to artificial intelligence and science. They provide students with open horizons to develop smart solutions that enhance programming skills and their practical applications in solving various real-life problems. Competitions such as robotics and unmanned aircraft are held on a yearly basis.
The "Artificial Intelligence in Education for People with Disabilities" initiative in Dhofar applies virtual and augmented reality technologies in educating students with hearing impairments through its diverse applications, programs, and electronic platforms. This interaction between students and teachers takes place in both in-class and extracurricular activities during classroom hours. The application of artificial intelligence in the education of people with disabilities aligns with Oman Vision 2040.
This initiative aims to create a central platform for all smart initiatives in Oman, bridging communication channels between entities responsible for providing smart solutions. It also aims to promote and market these initiatives at the local and international levels, support researchers and professionals with available data, and market smart solutions to companies and businesses.