English abstract
Extensive Research in artificial intelligence (AI) and advancement in technology focused on improving the
decision-making capabilities of a system/computer and thereby fast transactions. This research studied
the implementation of AI in Higher Education Institutions and implementation of new systems to achieve
corporate strategies. The objectives of this research aimed to examine the efficiency of current adopted
AI technologies in relation to HEIs' educational activity, to identify students' and HEIs staff's perceptions
and views on the introduction of AI in their academic activity, to investigate AI's impact on planning,
implementing and improving HEIs academic activity and to recommend various remedial actions to
overcome challenges faced by HEIs in implementing AI procedures.
AI is an emerging technology which has evolved in the form of Machine Learning, Natural Learning
Processing, Human-Machine Interaction etc. Initially AI has been widely adapted in the corporate sector
and recently in Higher Education. The main objective of Higher Education Institutions is to experiment
with technology and reap the benefits from the new system. However, it is marginal because there is still
a long way to go for AI in the context of teaching-learning process and replacing an instructor with a
machine/robot. This research tried to determine the current status of AI in the Higher Education sector
in the Sultanate of Oman, studied opportunities associated with it and explored challenges. This research
also addressed the community experts' perspective on AI, difficulties in accepting and training needed to
faculty members. To achieve this, a survey was conducted using Monkey Survey on Higher Education
Institutions in Oman by involving information technology staff and faculty to understand their viewpoints
on opportunities and challenges associated with implementation of new AI systems in higher education.
Data was analyzed using weighted average. Also, this research studied local market readiness to adapt
AI in education, gave reasonable suggestions to grab potential opportunities and assessed possible
solutions for the growth in Higher Education Institutions in the Sultanate of Oman.
