Statistics: Artificial Intelligence and Modern Data Sources to Enhance the National Statistical System
The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) has emphasized the importance of strengthening the resilience and crisis response capacity of national systems, and of developing official statistics production tools that keep pace with technological advancements and the needs of policymakers. This was stated by Mohammed Al-Rashidi, Director of Commercial, Agricultural, Services, and Environmental Statistics at the CSO, following his participation in the 17th session of the Statistical Commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The session concluded in the Sultanate of Oman, with the participation of heads and representatives of Arab statistical offices and agencies.
Al-Rashidi noted that the Commission, at the conclusion of its proceedings, recommended expanding the use of modern technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and non-traditional data sources in the production of official statistics. He pointed to the adoption of a recommendation to establish the “Muscat Team,” focused on utilizing AI technologies in the Household Income and Expenditure Survey, and to leverage Oman’s experience in this field.
He praised Oman’s experience in employing AI to implement the Household Income and Expenditure Survey, highlighting that modern technologies offer significant potential to develop data collection, processing, and analysis processes, thereby improving result quality and accelerating the issuance of statistical indicators.
He clarified that the Commission’s meetings addressed several files related to the development of statistical work in the region, including data governance, modern technologies, non-traditional data sources, information and communication technology (ICT) statistics, digital development, and price statistics in the digital era.
Al-Rashidi stressed the importance of developing administrative records, enhancing data quality, and improving comparability, in order to support the production of modern and reliable statistics that assist policymakers in formulating evidence-based policies.
The session also discussed the role of innovative data and analytics in supporting policy-making during crises, enhancing statistics related to refugees, displaced persons, and disasters, as well as coordinating efforts to build statistical capacities among national offices.
Participants reviewed the outcomes of the 56th and 57th sessions of the UN Statistical Commission, the results of evaluations of previous ESCWA Commission sessions, and priorities for regional cooperation and technical assistance among statistical agencies.
Al-Rashidi emphasized the importance of exchanging expertise and experiences between Arab statistical agencies and international organizations, and of joint efforts to build national capacities and develop modern, sustainable statistical systems capable of responding to changes and crises.
