Meet Yasmina: Oman’s AI assistant that speaks fluent Khaleeji Arabic and calls the Adhan at prayer time | World News
TL;DR:
- Oman introduces
Yasmina , anArabic-speaking AI assistant that mimics human interaction.
- It’s part of the country’s digital transformation push, offering real-time info and smart services via voice.
- The AI is designed to be emotionally intelligent, culturally aware, and accessible through smart kiosks and mobile apps.
- Developed in collaboration with Omani tech teams, Yasmina supports public service delivery and aims to strengthen Oman’s AI ecosystem.
Yasmina is a bilingual AI assistant fluent in both Khaleeji Arabic and English, developed by Yango Group specifically for users in Oman and the broader GCC region. Integrated into Yasmina smart speakers (Midi, Mini, and Lite) and the Yango Play app, Yasmina is designed to deliver culturally resonant, highly personal voice interactions. Her advanced conversational skills stem from YangoAI’s upgraded large language model (LLM), tailored for authenticity in regional dialects and context. Trained with diverse regional voices and linguistics experts, Yasmina goes beyond conventional assistants, she offers empathy, humour, and human-like dialogue rooted in Khaleeji culture.
Why Yasmina Matters: A Digital Ally for Oman’s Vision 2040
Yango Group introduced Yasmina in alignment with Oman Vision 2040, aiming to enhance digital literacy, local innovation, and access to technology across households, schools, and communities. ITHCA Group, the investment arm of Oman’s sovereign fund, praised Yasmina as a tool that introduces AI in practical, user-friendly formats—helpful to families, students, and digital novices alike. As per Gulf Business, Islam Abdul Karim, Head of Yango Middle East, described Yasmina as part of a broader mission to deliver technology shaped for everyday life. He emphasised that Yasmina promotes AI access and aligns strategically with Oman’s drive toward technological independence and digital transformation.
Key Features Tailored for Omani and GCC Users
Locally Relevant Content
- Provides prayer times for Muscat (and other cities) based on Hijri and Gregorian calendars
- Plays Adhans and Surahs from the Qur’an upon user request
- Recommends traditional Omani recipes, such as Shuwa, and offers itineraries for local sites like Wadi Shab
Culturally Aware Conversations
- Understands and responds in Khaleeji Arabic, along with other GCC dialects
- Able to hold dynamic, humorous, and empathetic dialogues, enhancing user comfort and trust
Educational Support & Daily Life Aid
- Simplifies complex topics and supports lifelong learning
- Offers interactive storytelling, bilingual translation, brainstorming, creative writing prompts, and even riddles for children
- Manages routine tasks via voice commands: setting reminders, timers, answering general questions
- Controls smart home devices: dimming lights, adjusting thermostats, playing ambient sounds, etc.
Under the Hood: Technology Anchored in Culture
- Custom Large Language Model
Yasmina is powered by YangoAI’s proprietary LLM, engineered to support high-quality responses across Arabic and English. The model processes information with up to 38% greater relevance in Arabic and significantly fewer refusals than earlier versions, delivering richer, context-aware conversations. Extensive training data included diverse Arabic dialects and speech patterns collected from cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, ensuring Yasmina understands variations in pronunciation, slang, and stylistic nuances.
- Human Oversight & Community Engagement
Hundreds of regional dialect experts and content contributors took part in Yasmina’s development, including naming the assistant through public feedback. This crowdsourced approach improved linguistic authenticity and regional relevance.
Product Access & Platform Integration
Smart Speakers Available
- Yasmina Mini (compact, ideal for private spaces)
- Yasmina Midi (larger speaker with multi-colour LED and enhanced mic array)
- Yasmina Lite (entry-level).
Speakers are retail-ready in Oman and UAE, sold at outlets including Virgin Megastore, Sharaf DG, and via platforms like noon.com (priced at approximately AED 279–449 in the UAE). The full suite of Yasmina’s features (including entertainment, smart home integration, local services, and AI responses) requires an active subscription to Yango Play, Yango Group’s multi-functional entertainment platform, available across GCC.
Real-World Use Cases
Families ask Yasmina to set prayer reminders, play Surahs, plan local outings, cook traditional meals, or calm children with bedtime stories. Smart home commands (like controlling lighting or music) are also supported.
- Education & Language Learning
In schools or homes, Yasmina simplifies classroom topics, helps learners grasp Arabic or English, and fosters interactive thinking through questions and games. For individuals, tasks like translation, travel planning, creativity prompts, financial explanations, and emotional support are all easily initiated via Yasmina’s conversational interface.
Challenges & Future Prospects
Achieving emotional resonance and culturally sensitive dialogue depends heavily on continuous LLM refinement and linguistic updates. Early local beta feedback has been positive, but scaling quality remains a priority.
- Balancing Privacy & Usability
As a voice assistant, Yasmina must ensure data privacy and opt-in user control, capabilities included in the speaker hardware and app interfaces. Yango Group plans to add more local dialect support, content features, and app integrations. Yasmina is positioned to evolve into a central voice interface across GCC smart ecosystems, including banking, education, and public services.Yasmina is more than a voice assistant, she represents a shift in AI design philosophy: technology built around cultural relevance and everyday practicality. By blending advanced AI with local dialect understanding and regional content, Yasmina empowers users to interact naturally and meaningfully. From classrooms to living rooms, Yasmina’s presence in Oman heralds a new era where AI isn’t just smart, it’s personally relevant.
