The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is transforming both innovation and cyber threats, according to speakers at the Oman AI Security Conference (AISEC) 2025, held in Muscat and inaugurated by Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology Eng. Said bin Hamoud al Maawali. Participants stressed that while AI capabilities are accelerating, so too are the sophistication and speed of cyberattacks.
In his keynote address, Said bin Abdullah al Mandhari, CEO of ITHCA Group, emphasized that AI security is no longer just about infrastructure protection but about trust in data models. He noted that true digital sovereignty depends on investing in local talent, arguing that trusted, skilled, and accountable people are central to securing AI systems and national data assets.
Speakers highlighted that AI is reshaping the cyber threat landscape at unprecedented speed, with AI-powered attacks becoming more autonomous and targeted. The emergence of post-quantum computing was also cited as a major challenge, threatening to undermine traditional encryption and expose data previously considered secure.
Krishnadas KT, co-founder and CEO of Securado, described AISEC as Oman’s leading executive forum focused on aligning artificial intelligence with cybersecurity responsibility. He warned that once data is fed into AI models, it cannot easily be erased, creating serious risks to privacy and society. He stressed that data governance remains one of the biggest gaps globally, with limited policies regulating what information is used to train large language models.
Securado also presented its “Digital Vaccine” concept, an evolution of managed security services designed to be predictive and adaptive. The approach aims to continuously learn from attack attempts and build defences before damage occurs, reflecting the shift from reactive to proactive cybersecurity.
Industry experts underscored the urgency of the issue. Raed Abudayyeh of Palo Alto Networks explained that attacks that once took weeks now unfold in minutes, driven by AI-enabled automation. Dr. Fatma al Maqbali of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry highlighted the need to balance the speed of AI threats with policy development, skills building, and reduced dependence on external vendors, outlining a phased approach toward adaptive cyber governance.
Organisers said the conference aligns with Oman Vision 2040, focusing on responsible AI use, stronger cyber defences, and ethical innovation as the country advances its digital transformation
