As Oman advances towards its Vision 2040 objectives, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging not merely as a technological trend but as a national capability—poised to boost productivity, prepare the workforce, diversify the economy, and enhance global competitiveness.
For centuries, Omanis have been bold navigators and early adopters. That same pioneering mindset now positions the nation to lead in the age of AI—guided by strategic clarity, a skilled workforce, and execution discipline.
The real promise of AI in Oman doesn’t lie in lofty ideas or isolated pilot projects. It lies in the everyday application of AI—empowering individuals across all sectors, regardless of technical background, to streamline tasks, make better decisions, and unlock greater value.
This new wave of AI innovation is highly accessible, intuitive, and impactful. As AI adoption and upskilling grow, so too will opportunities for Omani entrepreneurs to launch innovative business models and community-based solutions—potentially adding over $1 billion to GDP.
Grounding AI in People, Not Hype
Last month, the Oman American Business Council (OABC) hosted a webinar with HumanSense Labs and a former Microsoft Office AI leader to bring AI closer to the business community. The session drew a wide audience—from government officials to entrepreneurs and general managers—highlighting that Oman is eager for practical AI solutions.
Participants focused on actionable outcomes. One attendee discussed unlocking organizational knowledge buried in Arabic-language documents, where AI could play a vital bridging role. Another asked how to improve “prompting” skills—a crucial new ability for leveraging AI effectively. A third noted the challenge of integrating AI with legacy systems, prompting a reminder that AI must be approached as a business tool, not just an IT upgrade.
Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC, said:
“Oman doesn’t need to follow trends—it can lead by aligning AI adoption with its national priorities and people. The enthusiasm shown during our session was clear: the time is right to move from interest to action.”
Start Where You Work
Although AI has existed since the 1950s, today’s tools are easier to use and more practical than ever—even for non-technical professionals. The key is to start small and build momentum:
Identify repetitive, time-consuming tasks
Use generative AI as a smart co-worker
Reimagine processes with Agentic AI tools
Rather than striving for perfection, the focus should be on progress. Treat AI as a core life skill—like reading or arithmetic—and embed it into daily routines.
Assessing your organization’s AI readiness is one useful step to begin this journey.
Oman stands at a unique moment. With its rich legacy of exploration and culture of purpose-driven growth, the country has the tools to lead—not just with machines, but with its people at the center.
The Human + AI advantage isn’t about replacing workers. It’s about unlocking human potential and moving the country closer to its national aspirations.
Source: Muscat Daily
