A Qualitative SWOT Analysis Study of the Integration of AI Technologies into Higher Education Institutions in the Sultanate of Oman

Researchers conduct (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) SWOT analysis studies to outline the four significant components related to a pressing issue: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This qualitative study employed SWOT analysis to examine the practices of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered technologies in higher educational institutions in Oman. To this end, six instructors from different universities across the country were interviewed, and their insights were analysed to extract the themes that were subsequently analysed considering the SWOT framework. Several strengths were identified, including the use of AI-powered tools in making decisions, facilitating personalized learning, and performing routine tasks, which allow the instructors to do other, more critical tasks. Concerning the weaknesses, the interviewed educators pointed to the likelihood that students will become excessively dependent on AI tools, adversely affecting their learning and cognition development. Opportunities included fostering further personalized instruction and increased humanization support. Threats encompassed concerns regarding the high costs of AI technologies, the need for providing the necessary in-service training, and concerns related to ethical issues and data privacy. The findings emphasized the need to stress the significance of offering ongoing training to the faculty members and administrators, coupled with promoting the educators’ involvement in decisions regarding AI applications and developing guidelines to address ethical concerns. The findings of the study highlight critical areas not only for the intervention of policymakers but also to serve as a springboard for future studies to enable them to explore strategies for adapting AI, for framing ethical regulations, and for fostering long-term impacts on teaching and learning.