Bahrain has issued a national policy for artificial intelligence that sets clear guardrails for how AI is developed and used, signaling a practical push to improve services, protect people’s data, and support a more innovative economy.
Announced under the directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information Technology and Communication, the policy was introduced by the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA). Bahrain also adopted the GCC Guiding Manual on AI ethics, aligning national practice with shared Gulf principles such as fairness, privacy, and respect for human dignity. The policy is grounded in existing laws, including the Personal Data Protection Law, the Protection of Information and State Documents Law, and the Open Data Policy, giving ministries and state-owned entities a legal and operational playbook for AI projects. Four pillars sit at the core: legal compliance, responsible use, public education, and international cooperation. For founders and tech teams, this means clearer expectations on data handling, procurement, and pilots with government, which can shorten the path from concept to deployment.
For public agencies, it provides a way to unify scattered initiatives, build skills, and measure impact. The emphasis on awareness and capacity-building suggests targeted training for civil servants and regulated rollouts in high-impact sectors—areas like customer service, permits, health, and transport—where AI can streamline workflows without cutting corners on privacy or safety. By linking national rules to regional guidelines, Bahrain is positioning itself to attract cross-border partnerships while keeping the focus on real outcomes for residents and businesses.
