اخبار سلطنة عُمان – وطن نيوز
اخر اخبار سلطنة عُمان اليوم – اخبار سلطنة عُمان العاجلة
W6nnews.com ==== وطن === تاريخ النشر – 2026-03-28 13:23:00
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology confirmed that the issuance of an assessment of the readiness of the Sultanate of Oman on expanding the scope of comprehensive, ethical and human rights-based artificial intelligence governance (RAM) in the Sultanate of Oman, from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), represents a tool for determining the level of maturity of the artificial intelligence system in the Sultanate of Oman in a systematic manner based on gap analysis, which enables national priorities to be arranged according to realistic needs instead of relying on general estimates, and provides a reading of strengths and areas of improvement, and turns them into implementable courses of action within Specific time plans. The evaluation also contributes to unifying national efforts related to artificial intelligence within a single frame of reference, which enhances consistency between various government initiatives, reduces overlap or duplication, and establishes complementary work between the technical, regulatory, economic and social aspects. A national road map. Hamdan bin Mohammed Al-Alawi, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies Program Development Department at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said in an interview with “Oman”: The results of the evaluation allow the construction of a clearly defined national road map, based on practical recommendations and workable performance indicators. For measurement, in a way that enhances the efficiency of resource utilization and raises the effectiveness of programs and projects related to advanced technologies. Evaluation also constitutes a tool for understanding the mechanism for activating the responsible use of artificial intelligence, by involving government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions and civil society in a participatory diagnostic process, thus enhancing societal consensus on the path of technical transformation. The importance of the evaluation also lies in the fact that it aims to build a balanced model that combines innovation and sustainability, and ensures that the expansion of artificial intelligence applications supports development, stimulates competitiveness, and is based on the principles of justice and responsibility. The Sultanate of Oman’s readiness to expand the scope of comprehensive, ethical, human-rights-based AI governance. Al-Alawi said: The process of assessing readiness for the safe and ethical use of human-rights-based AI is based on the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which was developed following the adoption of the 2021 AI Ethics Recommendation by 193 member states. This methodology aims to help countries measure the extent of their institutional and legislative readiness. Technical and societal development and application of responsible and transparent artificial intelligence systems, based on the principles of human rights, non-discrimination, accountability, and protection of privacy. The RAM tool is a comprehensive framework for studying the current situation of countries in the field of ethical and responsible application of human rights-based artificial intelligence. The evaluation covers several main axes, including: the governance system and public policies, the legal and regulatory environment, digital and data infrastructure, research and innovation capabilities, economic and social aspects, the impact on the most vulnerable groups, and accountability, control and risk management mechanisms. He explained that this methodology has been applied in a number of countries as part of a gradual process to expand the scope of ethical governance for artificial intelligence at the global level, which reflects an international trend towards aligning technical innovation with human rights and development obligations. Al-Alawi pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman’s accession to this initiative confirms its readiness to move from the stage of adopting general principles to the stage of consolidating them within applicable and measurable executive policies, in a way that ensures the integration of dimensions in integrated institutional governance that provides clear regulatory frameworks that define responsibilities and ensure coordination between relevant authorities, with Developing continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and harmonizing national legislation by reviewing and analyzing existing laws to ensure their consistency with data protection, privacy and non-discrimination requirements, addressing any regulatory gaps related to emerging technologies, and managing risks and societal impact so that tools are adopted to evaluate the impact of artificial intelligence systems before they are deployed, especially in highly sensitive sectors, and ensuring the presence of clear channels for grievance and accountability. Inclusion and digital justice also ensure fair access to technologies and reduce the digital divide, taking into account the most vulnerable groups, in a way that reinforces the principle of “leaving no one behind.” And building national capacities to develop technical, legal and ethical competencies capable of designing reliable artificial intelligence systems and monitoring their compliance with approved standards. He stressed that the concept of readiness in this context is not limited to possessing technologies or developing advanced applications, but rather includes building an integrated institutional capacity to manage artificial intelligence within an ethical framework based on human rights, that balances stimulating innovation and enhancing societal trust, in order to consolidate the path of responsible digital transformation. Technologies for the Service of Humanity. The Director of the Department for the Development of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies Program spoke about the meaning of the responsible use of modern technologies for the service of humanity and society, and said: The responsible use of modern technologies means employing technical innovation in a way that achieves a real benefit for humans and society, while adhering to ethical and legal controls that ensure that… Harming public rights or interests. The responsibility here is not only related to the extent of technology development, but also to how it is designed, applied, and monitored its effects on individuals and society. He explained that this means that technologies should be directed to solving realistic challenges, improving the quality of life, raising the efficiency of services, and enhancing productivity, without leading to discrimination, exclusion, or violating privacy. It also requires taking into account the human dimension in all stages of the technology life cycle, starting with data collection, passing through the development stage, and ending with operation and continuous evaluation. Al-Alawi added: Responsible use also includes ensuring transparency in the mechanism of operation of technical systems, so that decisions affecting individuals are understandable and interpretable, with clear mechanisms for accountability and grievance in the event of an occurrence. Mistakes or negative effects. Community confidence in technologies is not built on technical competence alone, but on the clarity of the controls governing them. The concept is also linked to proactive risk management, by assessing the social, economic and ethical impact before disseminating any technology, especially in sensitive areas that affect the rights, opportunities or security of individuals. Accordingly, the responsible use of modern technologies is an integrated approach that balances between accelerating innovation and achieving development on the one hand, and preserving human dignity and basic rights on the other hand, ensuring that technology remains a tool to serve humanity and society, and not an end. In and of itself. Institutional foundations Hamdan Al-Alawi said: The institutional and legislative foundations of the Sultanate of Oman are the existence of an organized national framework for the governance of artificial intelligence. The report indicated the adoption of the “General Policy for the Safe and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence,” in addition to the launch of the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies, which includes a special path for the governance of artificial intelligence with a human-centered vision, providing a clear regulatory reference that controls the path of development and application in accordance with the principles of responsibility and transparency. He explained that the report highlighted the existence of an advanced legislative framework for data protection and privacy, represented by the Personal Data Protection Law issued by Royal Decree No. 6/2022, which is considered a legal foundation for enhancing digital trust and regulating personal data processing operations under the supervision of the competent authorities, and these frameworks reflect a trend towards building a legal environment that keeps pace with developments in the digital economy. On the infrastructure side, the assessment indicated a high level of digital readiness in the Sultanate of Oman, with the rate of Internet usage exceeding 95% and the expansion of the digital infrastructure, which provides a technical base. To expand the applications of artificial intelligence on a national scale. This has been achieved through continuous investments in various communications networks and investment in the digital transformation of government services. One of the important foundations documented by the report is the high representation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Women represent about 56% of the graduates of these specializations, which confirms the presence of indicators that support inclusiveness and participation in the digital economy. The report also indicated the existence of a national program for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies that constitutes a coordination framework for localizing technologies and enhancing the contribution of the digital economy to achieving the goals of “Oman Vision 2040.” This program was developed by setting clear sectoral priorities and launching practical, implementable initiatives. Finally, the report documented the implementation of applied initiatives in multiple sectors, including health, agriculture, urban planning, open data, and the Omani linguistic model. The Great (Maeen), which indicates the transition of artificial intelligence in the Sultanate of Oman from the planning stage to the practical application stage. Accordingly, these foundations did not come spontaneously, but rather the result of an organized institutional path that combined policy development, strengthening legislative frameworks, investing in the digital infrastructure, and building national capabilities, which established a solid foundation for a sustainable launch in the field of responsible artificial intelligence. One of the initiatives included in the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies, which aims to localize artificial intelligence technologies and enhance digital sovereignty; This project comes as part of efforts to develop advanced technical solutions that serve the needs of the state’s administrative apparatus and keep pace with the requirements of digital transformation. The idea of this project was launched from the realization of the importance of having artificial intelligence models capable of understanding the local linguistic and administrative context, which contributes to providing more accurate and appropriate knowledge support for the government work environment. He explained that the design of “Maeen” as a large linguistic model relies on generative artificial intelligence techniques similar to those used in advanced global models, but it focuses in particular on understanding the linguistic, cultural and organizational specificity in the Sultanate of Oman, which allows it to understand government terminology and procedures more precisely, and to provide answers and proposals that are compatible with the local institutional context and the needs of users in the state’s administrative apparatus. He added: With regard to the operational scope, work is underway to gradually expand the use of the system to serve an increasing segment of employees of the state’s administrative apparatus, while continuing to develop it and improve its performance. In line with the rapid developments in the field of artificial intelligence, the system is subject to continuous development and updating processes aimed at raising the level of accuracy of the outputs and enhancing its capabilities in processing the Arabic language and providing more efficient knowledge services. One of the fundamental aspects in the development of “Maeen” is the issue of digital sovereignty and data security. The system was hosted within the Sultanate of Oman to ensure its full compliance with the national legal and regulatory frameworks related to data governance and privacy protection. This trend contributes to enhancing digital trust and ensuring data management within a secure technical environment and under national supervision. He stressed that the project carries an important strategic dimension, which is building national capabilities in developing artificial intelligence models, which reduces dependence on external solutions and enhances technical independence. The presence of a national linguistic model also allows greater flexibility in developing applications and digital services that are compatible with the needs of government agencies, and contributes to supporting the continuity of digital services and enhancing the efficiency of institutional work within the framework of the digital transformation that the Sultanate of Oman is witnessing. Al-Alawi pointed out that the report included a set of improvement recommendations, and the Ministry is working to translate these recommendations into practical implementation paths, initiatives and projects that are implemented in partnership with the authorities. Relatedly, it should be noted here that the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies has included initiatives dedicated to periodically updating laws and legislation related to the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence. These initiatives include reviewing existing legal frameworks and evaluating their adequacy in addressing the risks associated with artificial intelligence applications, including the risks of algorithmic bias, privacy protection, and the impact of artificial intelligence systems on rights and opportunities. Work is also underway to study comparative international models and experiences, benefit from best practices, and propose the necessary legislative amendments to relevant laws, to ensure clarity of responsibilities, enhance accountability, and provide a stable and stimulating regulatory environment for innovation. Overall, the report’s recommendations will be implemented through a participatory approach that brings together government agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions, with the aim of aligning legislation with accelerating technical requirements, and achieving a precise balance between protecting society and stimulating the digital economy, thus strengthening the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a model in adopting responsible and sustainable artificial intelligence. Encouraging scientific research and among others. Hamdan bin Mohammed Al-Alawi, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies Program Development Department, said that the policy of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology is based on coordinated institutional work with relevant authorities, most notably the Scientific Research and Innovation Authority, in addition to government and private academic institutions, to ensure integration of roles and unification of national priorities in the field of artificial intelligence. The Ministry is working on coordination with the Scientific Research and Innovation Authority to integrate artificial intelligence priorities within the national research and development agenda, and to direct research funding programs towards applied projects with a development impact, especially those related to strategic sectors. Work is also being done to encourage the tripartite partnership model between the government, universities, and the private sector to finance research with an applied dimension. With regard to expanding postgraduate programs, Al-Alawi said: Coordination is being made with the Ministry of Education and public and private universities and colleges to create or develop specialized master’s and doctoral programs, and to ensure their alignment with the accelerating technical requirements and labor market needs. This approach comes within an integrated vision that aims to build a national system for research and innovation in artificial intelligence, based on institutional coordination, exchange of experiences, and integration of resources, in a way that contributes to In localizing advanced technologies and enhancing the competitiveness of the Sultanate of Oman in this vital field.
