Muscat: Oman’s artificial intelligence sector is witnessing strong growth, with the number of Omani companies operating in the field rising to 42 by the end of August 2026, compared with 22 companies last year, an increase of around 91 per cent.

The expansion comes amid growing national efforts to promote the use of artificial intelligence across economic and development sectors, while creating new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and young Omani talent.

Tawah Abdulla Al Dawood, Head of the Development and Studies Department at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said Omani AI startups are playing an increasingly important role in supporting the Sultanate’s digital transformation.

Speaking to the Oman News Agency, Tawah Al Dawood said local companies are developing innovative technological solutions and products that help improve business efficiency, enhance services, automate processes and strengthen the use of data in decision-making.

She said these companies have helped move artificial intelligence from an emerging technological concept into practical applications that can be deployed across government and private-sector organisations.

The growth, she added, supports the development of a digital economy driven by innovation and knowledge and is in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

She said the sharp rise in the number of AI companies also reflects the rapid development of Oman’s local technology ecosystem and the growing ability of Omani firms to progress from developing ideas and early prototypes to delivering commercially viable products and solutions.

These technologies are increasingly being applied across different sectors to raise operational efficiency and accelerate digital transformation.

The ministry is also working to strengthen the system of data and indicators related to artificial intelligence, which is expected to provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the size and growth of investment in the sector in the future.

Al Dawood said Omani AI firms have also contributed directly to the localisation of technical knowledge and expertise by developing home-grown solutions and building national capabilities in artificial intelligence, data and software development.

The sector is also creating opportunities for Omanis to work in advanced technological specialisations and gain practical experience in emerging fields.

She said the success of local AI companies in developing commercially viable solutions is helping strengthen private-sector confidence in the economic potential of artificial intelligence.

This, in turn, is encouraging greater adoption and investment in advanced technologies and contributing to the creation of an integrated ecosystem combining innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, research and development.

Omani AI startups are also gaining greater opportunities to enter regional and international markets, particularly as digital solutions powered by artificial intelligence can be scaled beyond local boundaries.

Participation by Omani companies in regional technology events, exhibitions, programmes and competitions, along with partnerships with investors, technology companies and specialised organisations, has also helped showcase national capabilities and open new avenues for growth and expansion.

Al Dawood said the emergence of a growing base of Omani companies specialising in artificial intelligence strengthens the Sultanate’s position as an environment supportive of innovation and advanced technologies.

She added that Oman is increasingly positioning itself as a promising destination for technology companies and investors seeking opportunities in the digital economy and artificial intelligence, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and a strong national focus on investment in future technologies.