Prof. Abdulnasir Hossen
UNESCO Chair on Artificial Intelligence
Smart technologies, artificial intelligence in particular, have become defining features of the modern age and among the most powerful drivers of change across nearly every aspect of human life. Their influence now extends to education, healthcare, the economy, administration, industry, and public services, making them a cornerstone in shaping the future of societies and strengthening their competitive capacities. With this rapid expansion, the discussion is no longer confined to technical benefits alone; growing attention is being directed towards how these technologies can be harnessed and used responsibly, in ways that respect human beings and their values and respond to their cultural and social needs.
The widespread adoption of AI technologies presents serious ethical challenges, especially when they are employed in making critical decisions that affect people’s lives, such as university admissions, recruitment, medical diagnosis, or the delivery of government services. In the absence of ethical safeguards, these technologies may lead to violations of privacy, the entrenchment of unfair discrimination, the marginalisation of certain groups, and the weakening of the human role in decision-making. This underscores the need to establish “the ethics of smart technologies” as a governing framework to ensure that technological progress serves humanity rather than undermines it.
AI ethics are grounded in a set of core principles, foremost among them respect for human dignity, justice and equality, transparency and accountability, as well as the protection of privacy and the assurance of safety and security, alongside a continuous emphasis on keeping ultimate responsibility in human hands. However, translating these principles into practice should not be done in a standardised or abstract manner. It must take into account the cultural particularities and the social and religious values of each society. Ethics are not a rigid mould imposed on all; they are a flexible system that adapts to different cultural and national contexts.
Within this framework, the need to align smart technologies with authentic Omani values becomes particularly evident. Omani society is characterised by a deeply rooted value system founded on mutual respect, social solidarity, justice, the safeguarding of privacy, the centrality of the family, and a strong commitment to national identity. Accordingly, any application of these technologies must be designed and implemented in a manner consistent with these principles, so that they reinforce them rather than weaken them or clash with the society’s inherited value system.
This ethical vision aligns seamlessly with the pillars of Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to build an innovative knowledge-based society that places people at the heart of development while remaining firmly anchored in its values and culture, in pursuit of sustainable and balanced development. The Vision focuses on advancing the education system, improving quality of life, strengthening a knowledge-based economy, and entrenching principles of good governance, alongside building effective institutions that invest in modern technologies in ways that serve society and fulfil its aspirations.
In education, for instance, AI technologies can contribute to improving learning outcomes by supporting personalised learning, analysing students’ needs, and delivering educational content tailored to different levels. Ethical use, however, requires ensuring fairness among students, avoiding the reduction of education to a mechanised process devoid of its human dimension, and preserving academic integrity while respecting educational and cultural values. Smart technologies in education should serve as tools that support teachers, not replace them, and should foster critical thinking and responsibility rather than blind reliance on technical systems.
In the healthcare sector, the use of smart technologies in diagnosis, treatment protocols, and the management of healthcare facilities can enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of medical services. Nevertheless, professional and ethical obligations demand the protection of patients’ privacy and the absolute confidentiality of their health data, while avoiding total dependence on technical systems without qualified human oversight. It is also essential to uphold societal values in interactions with patients, respect their human dignity, and ensure that medical decisions remain grounded in the highest humanitarian interest, free from purely technical considerations.
In the economic sphere, smart technologies are a key driver for developing the business environment, boosting productivity, and opening broad horizons for innovation and entrepreneurship. Yet irresponsible deployment may result in the exclusion of certain groups from the labour market or deepen economic inequality. This highlights the importance of steering AI towards the achievement of social justice and supporting programmes that prepare and upskill national talent to meet the demands of the digital economy, consistent with authentic Omani values rooted in fairness and professional responsibility.
Aligning the ethics of smart technologies with Oman Vision 2040 represents a strategic pathway to achieving comprehensive development goals without compromising national identity or deeply held societal values. Through this alignment, smart technologies become a means of strengthening mutual trust between institutions and society, a pillar for supporting sustainable development, and a solid bridge linking technological advancement with the essence of human values.
In conclusion, the future of these technologies in the Sultanate of Oman depends not only on the pace of technical progress, but also on the ability to guide this trajectory ethically and culturally, placing people first, respecting their value heritage, and fulfilling national aspirations. Through this balanced approach, the Sultanate of Oman can offer a leading model for the responsible use of artificial intelligence, aligned with its future ambitions and reinforcing its competitive standing in an ever-changing world.