Oman's Artificial Intelligence Strategy Explained

Oman has moved from talking about artificial intelligence to building the physical and institutional infrastructure behind it. Understanding what the strategy actually involves, beyond the headlines, helps explain why the Sultanate is positioning itself as a serious AI player in the Gulf region.

Quick Answer

Oman’s artificial intelligence strategy centres on the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies, part of Oman Vision 2040, now entering its second phase (2026 to 2030). Key elements include a dedicated Special Artificial Intelligence Zone in Muscat, the Maeen national language model, an AI Excellence Center, and a target of contributing 10 percent of GDP through the digital economy by 2040.

Why Oman Is Investing Heavily in AI

Oman Vision 2040 sets out to diversify the national economy away from oil dependency, and artificial intelligence sits among its key pillars for achieving that shift. Rather than treating AI purely as a technology import, Oman has structured its approach around building indigenous capability, local talent, and sovereign infrastructure, positioning the country as a producer of AI technology rather than only a consumer of it.

Key Pillars of the National AI Programme

Adopting AI across economic sectors. Applying AI technologies to improve service quality and efficiency across government, logistics, and energy.
Localising AI technologies. Building domestic capacity and talent rather than relying solely on imported systems and expertise.
Governance with a human-centred vision. Establishing effective oversight of AI applications rather than pursuing adoption without appropriate safeguards.
Advancing global rankings. Targeting a position among the top 50 countries in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index.

The Special Artificial Intelligence Zone

Announced in April 2026, Oman’s Special Artificial Intelligence Zone in Muscat offers incentives under free zone laws to attract AI-focused investment. The zone is managed by the Public Establishment for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, working alongside the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and forms part of a wider push to attract chip manufacturing and data centre investment into the country.

Maeen: Oman’s National Language Model

A central technical component of the strategy is Maeen, described as Oman’s first national language model. Continued development of Maeen is a named priority for the second phase of the National AI Programme, alongside expanding national high-performance computing capacity to support it and other domestic AI research.

Green AI and Sustainable Infrastructure

Oman has also launched the Green Artificial Intelligence Alliance and the Oman Digital Triangle initiative, both focused on environmentally sustainable AI development and green computing infrastructure. This reflects a deliberate choice to pair AI expansion with sustainability commitments, rather than treating data centre growth and environmental goals as separate priorities.

International Positioning

Oman became a founding member of the Global Cooperation Organization for Artificial Intelligence, joining 28 other countries in an agreement signed in Shanghai. This positions Oman not only as an adopter of AI technology but as an active participant in shaping international AI governance frameworks, a notably ambitious stance for a country of its size.

Economic Targets and Investment

Oman’s digital economy already contributes around RO 800 million to GDP, with a target of reaching 10 percent of GDP by 2040. Investment commitments include around 14.63 million Omani rials, roughly $38 million, directed toward incoming semiconductor firms as part of the broader 2026 budget and economic diversification programme.

How This Fits the Global AI Landscape

National AI strategies like Oman’s differ meaningfully from consumer AI products. Understanding the underlying technology helps put strategies like this in context. See our guide on advanced artificial intelligence concepts explained for how the technical foundations behind large language models like Maeen actually work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oman’s National Programme for Artificial Intelligence?
It is Oman’s structured national strategy for AI adoption, part of Oman Vision 2040, now in its second phase running from 2026 to 2030.

What is the Special Artificial Intelligence Zone in Muscat?
A dedicated economic zone offering incentives to attract AI-focused investment, technology, and talent to Oman.

What is Maeen?
Maeen is Oman’s first national language model, a key technical component of the country’s AI strategy.

What is Oman’s target for AI’s economic contribution?
The strategy targets the digital economy reaching a 10 percent contribution to GDP by 2040.

Is Oman’s AI strategy only about government use?
No. It spans government services, logistics, energy, and the wider private economy, alongside talent development and research capacity.

Oman’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy Explained