News & Event

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology celebrated the official launch of the results of the UNESCO report on assessing the Sultanate of Oman’s readiness to expand the scope of comprehensive ethical and human rights-based AI governance (RAM), under the patronage of HE Dr. Badr bin Hamoud Al-Kharousi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, and in the presence of Najib Makni, Communications and Information Program Specialist at the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, and a number of decision-makers and representatives of government agencies and academic and research institutions with expertise, in addition to representatives of the private sector and innovation leaders.

The ceremony witnessed the official announcement of the adoption of the results of the (RAM) report as a national reference for the governance of artificial intelligence in the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to presenting Oman’s vision for the path of artificial intelligence, reviewing the Omani model in this field, and highlighting the five main pillars of UNESCO’s recommendations, which contributes to unifying the understanding of government agencies and academic institutions of the concept of ethical artificial intelligence based on human rights, and enhancing Oman’s position regionally and internationally as a model in the ethical governance of modern technologies.

The ceremony included a speech by Hassan bin Fida Hussein Al Lawati, Head of the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies, representing the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology. He emphasized that the RAM initiative is a practical and systematic tool that enables countries to assess their current situations, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, and pinpoint challenges requiring attention. This, in turn, supports the development of policies, regulatory frameworks, and legislation aligned with global best practices. He added that the release of the UNESCO report's findings and recommendations underscores the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to international standards and frameworks, and its keenness to leverage globally recognized methodologies in a manner consistent with national priorities, while respecting Oman's unique characteristics and its institutional and developmental context.

For his part, Dr. Mahmoud bin Abdullah Al-Abri, Secretary of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, delivered the Ministry of Education's speech, noting that the Sultanate of Oman is dedicating an increasing attention to artificial intelligence (AI) in recognition of its pivotal role in supporting sustainable development. He pointed out that this attention is reflected in the launch of the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and Data, investment in building national capabilities, and the promotion of innovation and responsible digital transformation. He emphasized that the report represents a significant milestone and a practical tool to support decision-makers, researchers, and national institutions in their efforts to adopt AI ethically and sustainably.

The ceremony also included a recorded speech from Dr. Dafna Feinholz, Acting Director of the Research, Ethics and Inclusion Division, and Head of the Bioethics and Science and Technology Ethics Section in the Social and Human Sciences Sector at UNESCO.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Ahmed Al-Balushi, Director of the Science Affairs Department at the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, presented a keynote paper outlining the main findings of the UNESCO report assessing the Sultanate of Oman's readiness in the field of artificial intelligence ethics. He emphasized the report's importance as a national diagnostic tool that measures the level of preparedness for adopting artificial intelligence ethically and responsibly. He also presented UNESCO's vision for Oman's path as a comprehensive national transformation project linked to good governance, the protection of human rights, the achievement of sustainable development, and support for the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the knowledge-based economy. Furthermore, he highlighted several indicators of national readiness, including the formation of the National Committee of Artificial Intelligence Experts.