While Bahrain has not yet formulated a comprehensive AI policy framework, the country has declared AI as a focus area in its digital strategy plans. In November 2023, Bahrain's Prime Minister approved the Sixth National Telecommunications Plan, which includes the development of a national AI strategy and monitoring mechanism. The plan aims to boost the telecommunication sector and promotes "collaborative AI governance," "Conducive AI," and AI "adoption across high-impact sectors."
Significantly, a draft bill to regulate AI is currently pending before the country's Shura Council. This bill sets out offences for misusing AI with fines and imprisonment as punishment, marking a step towards establishing a legal framework for AI governance.
Bahrain's approach to AI is nested within broader strategic digital and economic initiatives, including the Kingdom's Economic Vision 2030. The country's Digital Transformation Journey focuses on fostering an innovation ecosystem for emerging technologies, encouraging their design and development to be consistent with the Kingdom's values and international norms.
Bahrain is one of the first countries, along with the United Kingdom, to pilot test the World Economic Forum (WEF) AI procurement guidelines for the public sector. These guidelines aim to enhance explainability and accountability in AI systems at the stage of writing proposal requests. However, as of the report's writing, there were no updates on the progress of this pilot in Bahrain.
The country has ambitious plans for digitisation and AI implementation across various sectors. Government entities have plans to use AI in areas such as agriculture, the judiciary, and research. Bahrain is also developing smart cities, smart traffic control, smart cooling systems, and smart banking. The country's partnership with Amazon Web Services to establish Big Data centres further demonstrates its commitment to digital transformation.
Bahrain has taken significant steps in data protection, enacting Law No. (30) of 2018 with Respect to Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). This law, inspired by the EU's GDPR, protects individuals' rights regarding the collection, processing, and storage of personal data. The Personal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) was established to enforce the law and investigate potential violations.
In 2021, Bahrain conducted public consultations on implementing the PDPL, addressing concerns about ambiguity in the law's implementation. The revised Act in 2023 addressed some stakeholder feedback, though challenges remain, particularly in defining personal data.
Bahrain has integrated biometrics and digital IDs as part of its Digital First Policy. The country has implemented a nationwide digital identity scheme that includes Sijilat (the Commercial Registration Portal), the National Taxation System, and Sehati (the National Social Health Insurance Program). This system aims to facilitate user access to government services through one-time input.
In 2019, Bahrain introduced biometric identification for automated border control at Bahrain International Airport. The country has also joined the U.S. Global Entry Partnership, which uses facial recognition for expedited entry into the U.S. for pre-approved, low-risk travellers.
Despite Bahrain's technological aspirations, the country faces significant human rights challenges. Freedom House rated Bahrain as "Not Free" in 2024, citing restrictions on freedom of expression and the use of surveillance technology to target activists and dissidents.
Reports of mass surveillance, including the use of Pegasus spyware and facial recognition technology for policing, have raised concerns among human rights organisations. The COVID-19 contact tracing app "BeAwareBahrain" was criticised for its invasive tracking capabilities.
In September 2023, Bahrain's parliament passed the Cyber Security Act, replacing the Digital Security Act of 2018. While aimed at combating cybercrime and disinformation, this act has been criticised for potentially restricting freedom of expression.
Bahrain has not endorsed the OECD AI Principles but is a member of the MENA-OECD Initiative on Governance and Competitiveness. The country has endorsed the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, though implementation remains to be seen.
Bahrain, as part of the Non-Aligned Movement, has expressed opposition to lethal autonomous weapons systems and has called for a legally binding international instrument to regulate them. In November 2023, Bahrain endorsed the Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy, demonstrating its commitment to international efforts in this area.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/