DeepAstra, a portfolio company of Omantel Innovation Labs, has entered into a strategic partnership with Z.AI that positions the company as Z.AI's sole sovereign artificial intelligence partner in Oman. The agreement was announced at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh, a major technology event that brings together global and regional innovators. The collaboration is expected to strengthen Oman's position in the development and adoption of advanced artificial intelligence technologies while supporting national digital goals.
A Strategic Vision for Sovereign AI
The partnership is designed to help organisations deploy artificial intelligence in environments that address national infrastructure, governance and data control requirements. This focus is especially relevant to sovereign AI, where governments and organisations seek greater control over the infrastructure, data and technologies supporting their AI systems. It highlights a shift from generic AI adoption toward models that reflect local operational, regulatory and security priorities.
Expanding Access to the GLM Model Family
Through this agreement, DeepAstra will expand access to Z.AI's latest GLM family of artificial intelligence models. These advanced models will be delivered through KwnX, DeepAstra's integrated AI workspace designed for research, planning, content creation and software development. The arrangement allows users to access powerful AI tools within a single environment that supports a range of professional and technical tasks.
Establishing the Oman Sovereign AI Development Center
A key component of the partnership is the planned establishment of an Oman Sovereign AI Development Center. Based in Oman, the centre is expected to support the development of AI solutions tailored to the needs of the country and potentially wider Arabic-speaking markets. This initiative reflects a long-term commitment to building local capabilities in sovereign artificial intelligence and related infrastructure.
Collaboration in Arabic AI and Document Intelligence
Areas of collaboration will include Arabic artificial intelligence, model adaptation and evaluation, document intelligence and practical AI applications across different sectors. These focus areas are intended to improve the accuracy and usability of AI systems for Arabic-speaking users and organisations. The partnership combines technical expertise with regional market knowledge to support real-world deployment of AI solutions.
Omantel's Strategic Support and Everyone AI Vision
Omantel stated that its Innovation Labs has supported DeepAstra from the early investment stage through to its current role as a strategic infrastructure partner. The partnership aligns with Omantel's broader 'Everyone AI' strategy, which seeks to translate advances in artificial intelligence into practical solutions with wider economic value. This strategy is focused on helping AI solutions move beyond experimentation and into broader commercial and organisational adoption.
Ecosystem Support and National Ambitions
The announcement received support from Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, highlighting the role of the country's wider technology ecosystem in advancing artificial intelligence development. Omantel added that its continued investment in this ecosystem is part of efforts to position Oman as a growing hub for AI innovation and other advanced technologies. Such public and private sector alignment is seen as essential for building a sustainable AI economy.
The DeepAstra and Z.AI partnership marks an important step toward practical sovereign AI adoption in Oman and the wider region. By combining advanced AI models with local infrastructure and strategic support, the collaboration is designed to move artificial intelligence solutions beyond experimentation and into broader commercial and organisational use. It reinforces Oman's ambition to become a regional leader in AI innovation while supporting national digital transformation goals.