MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman participated in the high-level session of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, attended by ministers, deputy ministers, and senior officials from participating countries, as well as high-ranking representatives of several international organizations. The session reviewed strategic visions for artificial intelligence governance and reaffirmed the principles of international cooperation to ensure that AI serves the benefit of all nations. It also highlighted distinguished initiatives and implementation projects presented by a number of participating countries. The conference, inaugurated in the presence of His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, is being held from 17 to 20 July.

The Omani delegation also participated in the preparatory meeting for the operational launch of the World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO), with the Sultanate joining as a founding member alongside 28 other countries, following its signing of the agreement establishing the organization. The organization aims to strengthen AI governance and advance AI innovation for the public good worldwide.

The Omani delegation participating in the founding ceremony of the World AI Cooperation Organization and the World Artificial Intelligence Conference is headed by His Excellency Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology. The delegation also includes His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Abdullah Al Barwani, Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Statistics and Information; His Excellency Dr. Said Hamad Al Rubaie, President of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences; and a number of specialists in artificial intelligence from government and private sector institutions.

On the sidelines of the conference, His Excellency Dr. Ali Al Shidhani, Head of the Omani Delegation, delivered a speech at the high-level meeting, highlighting the National Artificial Intelligence Programme, which comprises 32 projects. Among the most prominent are the “Digital Triangle” project, which leverages the Sultanate’s strategic advantages, including energy resources and submarine cable infrastructure; the Omani Large Language Model project; and the dedicated Artificial Intelligence Economic Zone, designed to attract investment, foster innovation in this vital sector, and promote the Sultanate’s balanced approach to AI innovation and governance.

In his address during the preparatory meeting for the operational launch of the World AI Cooperation Organization, His Excellency Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani expressed Oman’s pride in joining the organization as a founding member. He emphasized that this step represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen digital capacity building, exchange expertise in policies and standards, and develop joint projects in artificial intelligence applications and data centers.

He also reviewed the key pillars of the National Artificial Intelligence Programme, noting that it focuses on integrating AI across various economic sectors, developing and localizing AI technologies, and establishing human-centered AI governance. He reaffirmed that the Sultanate of Oman looks forward to working within the organization to develop future projects and initiatives that will enhance international cooperation and achieve shared objectives.

Furthermore, His Excellency Dr. Ali Al Shidhani stated that the Sultanate of Oman welcomes AI companies and member states to establish Oman as a regional gateway and operational hub for expanding into the Gulf and Middle East markets, taking advantage of its strategic location, advanced digital infrastructure, and promising investment opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Omani delegation continued its participation in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, which attracted broad participation from countries and companies specializing in AI, showcasing their latest products and services. The delegation also held meetings with representatives from several participating countries to exchange views on enhancing cooperation in artificial intelligence, particularly in the areas of knowledge sharing and the exchange of expertise and best practices. In addition, the delegation visited the China–BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center, which promotes AI collaboration between China, BRICS countries, and their international partners, as well as several leading Chinese companies specializing in artificial intelligence.