MUSCAT: Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Informational Technology (MTCIT) has attracting investments worth RO 30 million in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in 2023, as a result of the growing number of artificial intelligence startups in the country.
Communications and Information Technology Under-Secretary Dr Ali al Shidhani described the private sector investments as a “significant leap” for the Ministry’s efforts to drive AI deployment in the local economy.
"The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology leads the artificial intelligence strategy, with a set of indicators being put in place regarding artificial intelligence. Among these indicators is the increase in startups in artificial intelligence, which resulted in an increase in investments in artificial intelligence," Dr Al Shidhani stated at the ministry’s annual media briefing on Sunday, February 18, 2024.
According to the official, the Ministry also collaborated with local academic institutions to enhance the local artificial intelligence.
"The most important thing in artificial intelligence is not merely using the technology but rather creating the industry. And the industry is developed in think tanks and universities. Therefore, there is a concerted effort with universities to develop artificial intelligence algorithms."
He shared that the Ministry is actively collaborating with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences to launch an artificial intelligence industry program and was also able to increase the number of AI-related research papers last year. Significantly, the Ministry is in the process of designing an Omani artificial intelligence model, which will be trained using different aspects of Omani culture.
Furthermore, the Ministry is currently collaborating with the National Applied University and Sultan Qaboos University to establish a cybersecurity industry to attract and guide young people to the industry, the Under-Secretary said.
In regards to digital transformation, Dr Al Shidhani shared that in 2023 the Ministry launched “Manjam” labs in an effort of simplify government procedures. He added that the government introduced many easy-to-use applications, such as the one used during the Shura Council election. The Ministry is currently developing 39 electronic portals.
Moreover, Dr Al Shidhani shared that the Ministry was successful in creating the first Omani computer chips, Oman-1 and Oman-2, following the hosting of a semi-conductor world forum in Oman.
Additionally, the Ministry was able to train more than 4800 young men and women in over fifty programs as part of its Empowerment Initiative (Makeen). In regards to the space sector, he shared that the Ministry successfully hosted the first-ever space conference in the MENA region last year and will launch the first public Omani satellite this year.
At the 2023 edition of COMEX, deals totaling RO 40 million were signed, he added.
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