Author
Dr Mohammad Abu Taher
Organisation/Institution
Sohar University, Oman
Country
OMAN
Panel
Information Technology Law
Title
Oman’s Legal Readiness for Artificial Intelligence: Bridging Innovation and Regulation under the Vision 2040
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping economies, public administration, and societal structures worldwide. As Oman, one of the GCC countries, advances toward the goals of Vision 2040, specifically in innovation, digital transformation, and economic diversification, the development of a responsive and future-ready legal framework becomes imperative. This paper examines Oman’s current legal landscape to assess its readiness to regulate AI in a way that supports innovation while safeguarding ethical standards, privacy, accountability, and transparency. Using a doctrinal legal research methodology, the study draws on primary and secondary sources, including statutory instruments, relevant case law, and academic literature. The content analysis method is used to critically evaluate the existing legal strategies of Oman related to AI for identifying the key regulatory gaps and limitations. Comparative references are drawn from AI governance models in the European Union, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia to explore potential pathways for legal reform. The paper also considers institutional readiness, including the role of regulators, policymakers, and the judiciary in overseeing AI deployment. By aligning legal reform with the strategic priorities of Vision 2040, Oman can foster an AI ecosystem that promotes innovation, protects human rights, and builds public trust. As such, the paper concludes with recommendations for developing an AI-specific regulatory framework tailored to the context of Oman.
Biography
Dr. Mohammad Abu Taher is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Business, Sohar University, Oman. Before joining Sohar University, Dr. Taher was working as Associate Professor from September 2023 to September 2024 at American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB). He joined the Dept. of Law, AIUB, in May 2022 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Taher did his PhD in law in 2015 from the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya, Malaysia. His research interests include banking law, commercial law, child law, elderly law, human rights, etc. He has credit for publishing research articles in various peer-reviewed and Scopus-indexed journals. In addition, he presented his research papers at various international conferences. Dr. Taher also published more than 10 book chapters in edited books.
