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Unesco: Oman well placed to lead in ethical AI governance

Monday, 2 March 2026 21:24

Muscat – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has affirmed that Oman stands on solid institutional and legislative foundations to expand comprehensive, human rights-based governance of artificial intelligence (AI), following the release of its Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) report on the sultanate. Prepared under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Communications […]

Muscat – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has affirmed that Oman stands on solid institutional and legislative foundations to expand comprehensive, human rights-based governance of artificial intelligence (AI), following the release of its Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) report on the sultanate.

Prepared under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the report marks a strategic milestone in aligning Oman’s AI policies with international best practice and strengthening the responsible use of emerging technologies in support of sustainable development.

Unesco noted that Oman benefits from a clear national framework that places the digital economy among its strategic priorities, alongside the launch in 2025 of the Public Policy for the Safe and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems. The report also underlined the significance of the Personal Data Protection Law, promulgated by Royal Decree No 6/2022, in reinforcing digital trust and safeguarding individual rights.

The assessment highlighted continued progress in telecommunications infrastructure and the growing proportion of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), describing these factors as key enablers of AI advancement.

Among the flagship national initiatives cited was the development of the Omani large language model ‘Mu’een’, aimed at delivering AI solutions that reflect cultural and linguistic specificities. The report also pointed to the establishment of the Green AI Alliance to promote environmentally sustainable digital technologies.

Unesco recommended the introduction of mandatory ethical and social impact assessments for AI systems, the development of a legal framework defining liability for potential harm, enhanced regulation of deepfake technologies and strengthened data governance mechanisms.

It further called for increased investment in scientific research, the launch of national research fellowship programmes, the expansion of specialised postgraduate studies and the creation of innovation centres linking academia and industry.

The organisation concluded that while Oman’s institutional and regulatory environment is promising, accelerating implementation, strengthening research funding and broadening stakeholder participation will be essential to consolidating the country’s position in the knowledge-based digital economy and reinforcing its regional and international standing in ethical AI governance

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