MUSCAT : Oman Investment Authority (OIA) said it has invested in Salience Labs, an Oxford-based technology firm developing optical computing solutions, through its Al Ajyal investment portfolio.
The funding round also included Oxford Science Enterprises and Cambridge Innovation Capital, both of which have existing investment ties with OIA.
OIA said the deal aligns with its strategy to expand across the artificial intelligence (AI) value chain and support technologies that improve the efficiency and sustainability of global digital infrastructure.
Salience Labs is working on optical switches capable of transmitting data at ultra-high speeds using light, removing the need to convert optical signals into electrical ones. The company says its technology can enhance data centre performance, accelerate AI training and reduce operational costs. It also provides software for real-time monitoring, energy use tracking and thermal management.
The investment adds to OIA’s portfolio of AI-related companies, which includes Elon Musk’s xAI, energy management firm Sense, data infrastructure and desalination specialist Gradiant/Turing, and Crusoe Energy, a builder of AI-focused data centres powered by renewable energy.
OIA said the portfolio diversification reflects its aim to strengthen Oman’s role as a regional hub for artificial intelligence while advancing its wider goals of economic diversification.
Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has invested in Salience Labs, an Oxford-based firm specializing in optical computing, to enhance AI infrastructure. This move aligns with OIA's strategy to expand its AI value chain and support sustainable digital technologies. Salience Labs' innovations promise to boost data center performance and reduce costs, reinforcing OIA's commitment to AI and economic diversification.