Data privacy, algorithm bias and misinformation resulting from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital media are among the primary concerns of Bahraini youth, according to a new University of Bahrain (UoB) study.
The research paper – Artificial Intelligence and Digital Media: A Survey Study of Bahraini Youth Preferences Towards Smart Applications in Social Networks – was authored by UoB professors Abdel Azim Gamel Ebrahim and Sarg Enas Mosad, and recently published in the peer-reviewed New Media and Mass Communication journal.
The survey of 240 young Bahrainis, aged 18 to 35, found that the kingdom’s youth are overwhelmingly supportive of AI in digital media, while also highlighting the need to address privacy, bias and ethical safeguards.
“Results indicate strong user approval of AI-enhanced features such as interactivity, content personalisation and user experience,” researchers noted in the study.
“Attitudes were generally positive across demographic groups, suggesting widespread acceptance of AI integration. Nevertheless, concerns about data privacy and algorithmic bias were noted, underlining the need for ethical and regulatory safeguards.”
The GDN reported last month that Bahrain announced the launch of a national policy for the responsible and ethical use of AI and the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) adopted the GCC Guiding Manual on the Ethical Use of AI.
The policy, available at www.iga.gov.bh, aims to harness AI to support economic and social growth, enhance government efficiency and ensure the secure and ethical application of AI in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
It complies with key national laws and frameworks, including the Personal Data Protection Law, the Law on Protection of State Documents and Information, the Open Data Policy and the GCC Guiding Manual on the Ethical Use of AI.
The descriptive UoB survey revealed that 93.8 per cent reported a high level of awareness about AI, with a further 5pc indicating moderate awareness.
All respondents use the Internet, with 90pc doing so regularly and 10pc intermittently.
Social media platforms were identified by 55pc of participants as the most enhanced by AI technologies, followed by news websites at 28.7pc, government websites at 8.3pc, and blogs or personal websites at 2.5pc.
Security and ethical issues emerged as a consistent priority for respondents, with 61.3pc favouring AI tools that strengthen digital safety and uphold ethical standards. Within this category, 69.1pc selected fraud detection as a preferred feature and 61.7pc favoured harmful behaviour tracking.
The study states that ‘trust in AI technologies is contingent on robust cybersecurity and ethical design,’ reflecting a wider trend in which enthusiasm for new technology is tempered by a demand for responsible implementation.
Communication-enhancing tools were the most preferred AI applications overall, chosen by 66.3pc of respondents.
Spam detection was the single most popular feature at 77.8pc, followed by effective communication tools at 72.8pc, connection suggestions and sentiment analysis at 63pc, and feedback monitoring at 55.1pc.
Audience engagement applications were selected by 64.8pc of respondents, AI tools for content management by 60.9pc and visual content presentation applications by 59.3pc. Information retrieval tools attracted the least interest, with 54.3pc expressing preference for them.
“A substantial majority of respondents (70pc) expressed positive attitudes towards the application of AI technologies in websites and social networks,” researchers added.
The study also reports that ‘the majority of respondents (73.8pc) perceived an urgent need for the integration of AI technologies in Arab websites’.
Looking ahead, ‘an overwhelming 98.8pc of participants anticipate that Arab websites will benefit from AI technologies soon’, with 61.3pc expecting significant benefits and 37.5pc predicting moderate advantages.
The study concluded that Bahraini youth are highly engaged with AI and its potential in social media and digital platforms, but their support is conditional on measures that protect privacy, prevent bias and maintain trust.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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