With a near-perfect cybersecurity score of 97.02/100 and an Open Data Inventory score of 84, Oman is building a robust digital foundation. The Sultanate is concurrently drafting a General Policy for the Safe and Ethical Use of AI Systems, targeted for 2025. Oman's proactive approach of drafting a General Policy for the Safe and Ethical Use of AI Systems positions it as a key participant in global AI ethics and governance discussions.
However, rapid establishment of advanced digital infrastructure and governance, coupled with AI's inherent complexities, creates tension. The pressure for economic growth, aiming to expand the digital sector's GDP contribution, could inadvertently lead to an oversight gap in human-centric ethical considerations for equitable AI deployment.
Therefore, while Oman's proactive approach is commendable, its true test will be balancing rapid digital sector expansion with rigorous, adaptive, and human-inclusive AI governance. This challenge, not unique to Oman, will confront many nations navigating AI adoption.
Oman's Foundational Approach to AI Governance
Oman established a legal cornerstone for data protection with the Personal Data Protection Law, Royal Decree No. 6/2022. Oman's Personal Data Protection Law, Royal Decree No. 6/2022, alongside the 2025 General Policy for Safe and Ethical AI Use, reflects a deliberate strategy to regulate emerging technologies. Oman's digital infrastructure is strong: its 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index score of 97.02/100 places it in Tier 1 globally, per unesco. An Open Data Inventory (ODIN) 2024 composite score of 84 (openness 97, coverage 70), also from unesco, complements this. Oman possesses a strong foundational digital infrastructure and proactively develops policies, positioning it as a potential leader in responsible AI. Oman's strong foundational digital infrastructure and proactive policy development also sets a high standard for effective, human-centric implementation.
The Unseen Risks of Unchecked AI
AI deployment in policy processes carries substantial risks. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified pitfalls: data bias skewing problem definitions, over-optimization narrowing solutions, and digital divides with cybersecurity vulnerabilities undermining implementation. Data bias, over-optimization, and digital divides can subtly shift policies from their intended goals. The WHO also highlights epistemic injustice, where AI systems privilege quantifiable data, marginalizing lived experience, local expertise, Indigenous knowledge, and community insight. Beyond ethics, organizations failing to govern AI responsibly face penalties from thousands to $16 million in federal settlements, per elevateconsult. The range of risks, from systemic biases to severe financial repercussions, demands proactive, comprehensive AI governance frameworks.
