MUSCAT, OCT 8
The Ministry of Education, represented by the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, organised a two-day workshop on expanding the scope of inclusive, human rights-based ethical AI governance.
The event also marked the official launch of the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) initiative, developed by Unesco to assess countries’ preparedness for responsible AI adoption.
Held under the auspices of Dr Jokha bint Abdullah al Shukailiyah, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education (OAAAQA), and attended by Salah Khalid, Director of the Unesco Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, the workshop brought together specialists and practitioners from both public and private sectors, alongside members of the Oman Human Rights Commission.
The workshop discussed Unesco’s framework for assessing Member States’ readiness for AI ethics and highlighted Oman’s selection as a pilot country for the RAM initiative — a milestone within the framework of the Unesco Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, the first global standard for ethical AI development and use.
Hassan bin Fida al Lawati, Head of the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies, said the initiative aligns with Oman’s comprehensive strategy to ensure the responsible, safe and human-centred application of AI technologies. He noted that Oman’s National Policy for the Safe and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence, launched in early 2025, serves as a guiding framework for integrating AI across sectors while upholding privacy, justice and human dignity.
Al Lawati added that the RAM tool enables countries to assess their current capabilities, identify strengths and opportunities and develop policies aligned with global best practices while reflecting national contexts.
Oman has also advanced its digital landscape through the National Data Framework, the Personal Data Protection Law, and pioneering projects such as the ‘Ma’in’ Large Omani Language Model, the AI Studio and the National Open Data Portal — all aimed at promoting innovation, inclusivity and data transparency.
Dr Ahmed bin Moosa al Balushi, Director of the Science Sector Department at the Commission, emphasised that while AI offers vast potential for sustainable development, it also presents ethical, legal and social challenges. He noted that Oman’s National Strategy for AI and Big Data ensures that innovation is pursued responsibly through strong legislation, capacity-building, and integration across key sectors, including education, health and governance.
Meanwhile, Salah Khalid underscored the importance of applying AI ethics principles such as equity, transparency, accountability and sustainability, noting that “these are not abstract ideals but values with real-world impact.”
The workshop featured several presentations on AI ethics frameworks, national policies and case studies, with discussions centred on next steps for implementing RAM in Oman.
The launch of the initiative reaffirms Oman’s commitment to ensuring that artificial intelligence serves as a force for human progress, sustainable development and ethical innovation.
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