Omani tech project qualifies for LIYSF's top 13

A project by Omani innovator Aya bint Hamed al Kindi has been selected among the top 13 global projects to be displayed at the 67th London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF). The entry, titled Haris, was one of 10 projects representing the Sultanate under the umbrella of the Research and Innovation Authority (RIA), chosen from a total of 738 submissions spanning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

"The selection of my Haris project among the best globally attests to the ability of Omani innovators to provide impactful technological solutions in critical fields such as financial security and fintech," Aya al Kindi said, expressing pride in the international recognition.

Haris — Arabic for "guard" — is an artificial intelligence-based technological solution designed to combat financial crimes, with a particular emphasis on money laundering. According to project materials, Haris analyses financial data with high accuracy to detect suspicious patterns and predict risks in record time compared with conventional systems. The system is presented as a tool that can accelerate detection and risk-scoring in anti-money laundering (AML) workflows, addressing a major challenge for banks, fintech firms and regulators.

Project selection and national participation

The Sultanate’s delegation to the LIYSF comprised 10 innovative scientific projects selected by the Research and Innovation Authority. These projects were chosen from a competitive field of 738 entries covering multiple STEM disciplines. The inclusion of Haris among the forum’s top 13 highlights the prominence of fintech and financial security among the submissions and underscores the RIA’s role in curating Omani youth science and innovation for international exposure.

• Event: 67th London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF)
• Omani delegates: 10 projects
• Total submissions considered: 738 projects
• Haris focus: AI-driven detection of money laundering and financial crime

Organisers of Haris emphasise that the solution is tuned to spot anomalous transaction patterns and forecast potential risk trajectories, enabling faster intervention than many traditional rule-based AML systems. The project positions itself at the intersection of artificial intelligence, fintech and regulatory technology — areas that have seen rapid innovation as institutions seek to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated financial crime techniques.

Outlook and implications

Appearing among LIYSF’s top 13 offers Haris a platform for further validation, potential collaboration, and visibility to international investors, academics and regulatory stakeholders attending the forum. Aya al Kindi framed the achievement as evidence of Omani youth scientific excellence and a contribution to global problem-solving in areas including environment, energy and modern technologies, aligning with the goals of Oman Vision 2040.

With the LIYSF spotlight, Haris could attract interest from banks, fintech firms and compliance vendors looking for advanced analytics to enhance AML programs. For the Research and Innovation Authority, the recognition of multiple Omani projects at an event of this scale reinforces the country’s investment in youth-led research and innovation initiatives.