Bahrain launches national AI policy
The Kingdom adopts a version of the GCC Artificial Intelligence Guidelines
#Bahrain #policy - Bahrain has launched its National Artificial Intelligence Policy (a.k.a General Policy for the Use of Artificial Intelligence) alongside adoption of the GCC’s Guiding Manual on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Use, issued by the Ministerial Committee for eGovernment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Kingdom’s Information and eGovernment Authority developed the policy as a comprehensive framework to ensure the ethical and safe use of AI technologies. The National AI Policy is based on four key pillars: legal compliance, AI use and adoption, public education and awareness, and enhancing local and international cooperation to foster partnerships and knowledge exchange.
SO WHAT? - The new National AI Policy and the adoption of the GCC’s AI ethics guidelines add to an increasingly comprehensive set of frameworks and guidelines introduce by Bahrain over the past six years. The National AI Policy is subject to the Kingdom’s existing digital, data protection, cloud and cybercrime laws. The policy applies to all government entities in Bahrain and provides a central framework on top of existing government policies on AI usage.
Here are some key facts about the National AI Policy announcement:
Bahrain's Information and eGovernment Authority has launched the National Policy for the Use of Artificial Intelligence and announced the adoption of the GCC Guiding Manual on the Ethical Use of AI.
The new policy is based on four key pillars: legal compliance, AI use and adoption, public education and awareness, and enhancing local and international cooperation to foster partnerships and knowledge exchange
The comprehensive framework establishes eleven core principles:
Human decision-making
Safety and Prevention of Harm
Fairness, equity, and non-discrimination
Transparency and explainability
Responsibility, accountability, and awareness
Integrity and non-fabrication
Privacy and data protection
Reliability and safety
Investment in advanced technology
Promoting technological innovation
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
The new policy applies to all government entities in Bahrain and targets government officials, digital service developers, decision-makers, academics, researchers, and smart government service beneficiaries across four key implementation pillars.
The policy framework seeks to enhance public trust in advanced technologies whilst fostering sustainable, innovation-driven digital society development supporting Bahrain's regional and global competitiveness.
The authority plans to deliver training programmes and workshops to build AI awareness among public sector employees, particularly in critical sectors including health, education, and public services.
Meanwhile, the GCC’s Guiding Manual on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Use, emphasises respect for human dignity, alignment with Islamic principles and national identity, sustainability, cooperation, and human wellbeing across regional implementations.
ZOOM OUT - Bahrain was one of the first countries in the region to begin developing its own AI law, principally to guide against the illegal use of artificial intelligence and AI generated content. The 38-article AI Regulation Law was approved unanimously by the Kingdom’s Shura Council in April 2024. The law has since been under review by the Council of Representatives. Bahrain’s new National AI Policy confirms that all AI use is subject to existing laws, but offers no further information on the prospect of a dedicated AI law. The country has an existing IT Crimes Law, enacted in 2014 (Law No. 60 of 2014).
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
