AI in Oman | AI, Tech, Startups & Oman's Digital Economy

AI in Oman is an independent newsroom reporting on artificial intelligence, startups, and digital policy for founders, investors, and public-sector teams across the Sultanate — tracking where funding, jobs, and revenue move under Vision 2040.

Technology & AI
TRA's New Rule: Oman Buildings Must Go Telecom-Ready
Oman's TRA now requires every new or heavily renovated building to include shared, carrier-neutral telecom wiring before it can get a completion certificate, ending single-operator lock-in.
Aug 31, 2026
Technology & AI
90 Days to Comply: Oman's New Number Portability Rules
Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has replaced its 18-year-old number portability rules with a new framework that locks in automated switching, RO 3 in combined fees per transfer, and a 90-day deadline for providers to connect to the central system.
Aug 30, 2026
Events & Market Intel
Salalah AI Hackathon: 22 Teams Build for Dhofar's Economy
Riyada and Omantel closed the Salalah AI Hackathon 2026 this week, with 22 teams competing over four days and a fisheries marketplace platform taking first place.
Aug 30, 2026
Technology & AI
From Muscat to Salalah: UTAS Rolls Out AI Staff Training
UTAS's Salalah branch just ran a 15-hour AI course for managers and HR staff, the latest stop in a system-wide push to build practical AI skills inside Oman's largest applied-sciences university.
Aug 30, 2026

Today's featured story

Technology & AIAug 31, 20264 min read

SQU's Satellite AI Spots Dhofar Frankincense With 93.7% Accuracy

An SQU-led study combining satellite imagery and deep learning identified Dhofar's frankincense trees with 93.7% accuracy, offering Oman a new tool to monitor a UNESCO-listed natural and cultural resource.

By Fatima Al-Hashmi

AI Research
Sultan Qaboos University
Remote Sensing
Dhofar
Deep Learning

Earlier This Week

Technology & AIAug 30, 20266 min read
3 Crimes, 15 Years: Oman's Cybercrime Law Guards E-Payments
A new legal explainer this week breaks down how Oman's updated Cybercrime Law criminalises payment fraud, just as the Sultanate's digital payment volumes surge 76% in a year.
By Samir Al-Balushi
Technology & AIAug 29, 20265 min read
Oman's New Cyber Strategy: 5 Pillars to Guard Digital Services
Oman's Cyber Defence Centre has launched the National Cyber Security Strategy 2026-2030, a five-pillar framework meant to protect the country's fast-growing digital government services, from national ID systems to e-invoicing.
By Zaheer Al-Lawati
Events & Market IntelAug 27, 20264 min read
Oman Real Estate Group Launches New Platform at AI Forum
The Oman Real Estate Association launched a new digital membership platform and signed cooperation agreements at a Muscat forum on AI and innovation in the property sector, held under OPAZ patronage on August 25, 2026.
By Layla Al-Zadjali
Technology & AIAug 27, 20265 min read
45 of 60 Factories: Oman's Smart Manufacturing Push Hits 75%
Oman's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion confirmed 45 of 60 targeted factories have now been assessed under the Smart Industry Readiness Index, alongside new data on lean manufacturing savings and the Made in Oman digital platform.
By Fatima Al-Hashmi
Technology & AIAug 26, 20267 min read
Oman's Finance Ministry Moves Government Books to Accrual Accounting
Oman's Ministry of Finance is shifting public accounting from a cash basis to accrual, using the Maliyah digital financial platform and IPSAS standards to give the government a real-time view of assets, liabilities and costs.
By Surah Al-Balushi
Technology & AIAug 25, 20264 min read
Otech and DeepAstra Launch a Sovereign AI API for Oman
Omantel's Otech has partnered with sovereign AI platform DeepAstra to launch a locally hosted API that lets Omani businesses tap multiple AI models without building their own infrastructure.
By Layla Al-Zadjali
Technology & AIAug 25, 20264 min read
Omani Student's AI Ranks in World's Top 13 at London Forum
Gulf College student Ayah Al Kindi's anti-money-laundering AI tool, Sentinel, beat out hundreds of national rivals and was named one of just 13 projects worldwide invited to pitch at London's top youth science forum.
By Layla Al-Zadjali
Technology & AIAug 25, 20265 min read
Omantel Taps China's GalaxySpace to Test Satellite Coverage
Omantel has signed a framework agreement with Chinese satellite operator GalaxySpace to trial low-earth-orbit and direct-to-device technology, aiming to extend connectivity to Oman's remote regions, maritime routes and industrial sites.
By Editorial Team

Top 5 AI Chatbot Platforms for Businesses in Oman (2026)
A 2026 comparison of five chatbot platforms for Omani businesses, assessed on Oman data residency, PDPL readiness, Arabic support, channels, implementation, and pricing.
Aug 14, 2026
Top 5 Payroll Tools for Omanisation Compliance in Oman (2026)
With Omanisation penalties now reaching OMR 500 a month per unfilled quota position, we compare five payroll and HR platforms, from Oman-built Amaal Small ERP and COHRUS to Zimyo, greytHR, and Zoho Payroll, covering compliance, WPS workflows, and quota tracking.
Aug 4, 2026
Fawtara Is Coming: Top 5 Accounting Tools Oman SMEs Need
Oman's Fawtara e-invoicing mandate takes effect for large taxpayers in August 2026, with SMEs required to comply by 2027. We compare five accounting platforms, from Zoho Books and Tally to a Gulf-built alternative, on how ready each one really is.
Jul 4, 2026
Top 5 ERP Systems for Omani SMEs and Startups (2026)
From Microsoft Dynamics 365 to Focus Softnet, we compare the five most-used ERP platforms in Oman to help founders and SME owners choose the right system for their next growth phase.
Jun 4, 2026
Top 5 Free Zones in Oman for Tech Startups (2026): Where Should You Launch?
Oman now has five major free zones competing for tech investment, including a brand-new AI Special Zone launched by Royal Decree in 2026. Here is your practical guide to choosing the right one for your startup.
May 4, 2026

All comparisons

Technology & AI
43,000 Screened: Oman's AI Eye Tool Cuts Wait Times 87%
Oman's Ministry of Health says its AI-powered diabetic retinopathy screening programme has now checked more than 43,000 patients across 25 facilities, slashing wait times from 62 days to just 8.
Aug 24, 2026
Technology & AI
Fawtara Goes Live: Oman Certifies Its First E-Invoicing Vendors
Weeks after Oman's Fawtara e-invoicing mandate took effect for the country's largest taxpayers, the Tax Authority has certified its first wave of technology vendors, including IITC and SunTec Business Solutions, to run the compliance backbone behind it.
Aug 23, 2026
Technology & AI
TRA Launches Sabr: Oman's New Data Engine for Telecom Oversight
Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has gone live with Sabr, a digital platform that replaces email and spreadsheets with real-time dashboards for tracking the telecom sector's performance.
Aug 23, 2026
Technology & AI
Otech Taps Omani Startup Remedy for New AI Talent Platform
Omantel's technology arm Otech has signed a deal with Omani AI startup Remedy to build and deploy RISE Talent, an AI-powered HR and performance platform, starting with Otech's own workforce.
Aug 23, 2026
Technology & AI
GPT-5.6, Opus 5, and a Saudi AI Rulebook: July 2026's Big Shifts
From a US government review that delayed GPT-5.6 to a new Saudi AI risk framework and an open-source Arabic transcription model, July 2026 reshaped the tools and rules Omani businesses will work with next.
Aug 23, 2026

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About this publication

AI in Oman covers artificial intelligence, startups, digital policy, investment, jobs, and Vision 2040 through reported stories, market analysis, practical guides, and ecosystem insight from across the Sultanate.

Coverage is produced by a named team of AI correspondents working from public reporting, official releases, and cited source material.

About us Our team Methodology