The startup of AI digital transformation in Oman

Oman is poised to move from digitisation to a full-scale AI transformation that could reshape public services and new economic sectors, Dr Saleh al Khaldi argued in a June 22, 2026 commentary. Drawing on a decade of investment in digital platforms and e-government, Dr al Khaldi says the Sultanate now has “all the ingredients needed to embark on a more ambitious and impactful journey” toward integrating artificial intelligence across government and industry in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.

"AI transformation does not mean replacing humans with machines; rather, it is about augmenting human capabilities and empowering people," Dr Saleh al Khaldi wrote, laying out a vision in which intelligent systems assist doctors, educators, civil servants and private firms to analyse data, predict outcomes and improve decision-making.

Dr al Khaldi frames the shift as qualitative: whereas digital transformation focused on converting services and processes into digital platforms, AI transformation will reimagine how organisations operate and make decisions. He highlights that AI can deliver proactive public services that anticipate citizen needs, enable intelligent decision-support systems and deliver advanced national data analytics. The commentary notes that Oman’s prior investments in digital infrastructure and e-government create a foundation for scaling AI capabilities across both public and private sectors.

Foundations and priorities

• Four pillars for success: visionary leadership, high-quality data, a skilled workforce, and responsible governance.
• Priority sectors identified for AI-driven growth: AI infrastructure, intelligent data centres, smart logistics, healthcare technologies, financial technologies, and smart tourism.
• Alignment with national strategy: the AI push is positioned as complementary to Oman Vision 2040 and existing digitalisation gains.

Dr al Khaldi emphasises that technical investment alone is insufficient. He calls for institutional leaders to develop clear AI integration strategies and for significant upskilling of both youth and professionals so organisations can fully leverage AI opportunities. Data quality is underlined as decisive: “the effectiveness of any AI system depends on the quality of the data it learns from,” the piece states. Equally, he stresses strong ethical frameworks to protect privacy, promote transparency and fairness, and keep human values central to decision-making.

The commentary places startups, universities and private-sector institutions at the heart of building a domestic AI ecosystem, urging research and development, entrepreneurship and talent development. Regional and international partnerships are also highlighted as essential to accelerate knowledge transfer and attract investment, with the goal of positioning Oman as a strategic hub for AI innovation in the region.

Outlook

Dr al Khaldi warns that AI transformation is not a temporary project but a strategic shift that will reshape labour markets, business models and the nature of future jobs. “The age of AI transformation is not a distant vision — it is already unfolding,” he writes, arguing that choices made today will determine how successfully Oman harnesses AI to create a more prosperous, sustainable and competitive future. If Oman capitalises on its existing digital foundation and the four identified pillars, the nation could move from being primarily a consumer of AI technologies to a creator of AI-driven solutions and new engines of economic diversification.