Bahrain’s tangible progress in adopting AI and its strong potential to become a regional leader in ethical, inclusive and innovative AI has been highlighted in a key UN report.
Bahrain is the second GCC country to undergo an AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) initiative and has achieved a 100 per cent score in technology adoption and infrastructure readiness.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has launched the global report commending the nation’s steady progress and growing leadership in the digital domain.
It also recognised Bahrain’s excellence in digital transformation, classifying it among the highest-ranked nations in the UN eGovernment Development Index, and awarded full scores in key areas of technology adoption and infrastructure readiness.
“Bahrain aims to become a regional leader by creating a “sandbox” environment for AI innovation, attracting companies to test and deploy new AI solutions within a well-regulated framework,” the report said. It also highlighted the country’s effort to ‘promote AI literacy among the population and fostering a public dialogue about the ethical implications of AI, building trust and acceptance of AI technologies’.
Details of the report were announced during a meeting yesterday between the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) and Unesco representatives in Manama.
Attendees included iGA chief executive officer Mohammed Al Qaed, Unesco Doha Office Director Salah Khaled, Secretary-General of the Bahrain National Commission for Education, Science and Culture Dr Mubarak Abdulla Butti, and Secretary-General of the Higher Education Council Dr Diana Al Jahromi, alongside representatives from several government and private sector entities.
The report outlined Bahrain’s key AI initiatives, including the establishment of the iGA’s Innovation and Advanced Technology Directorate, the adoption of the GCC AI Ethics Guiding Manual (2023), the launch of the National AI Policy (2025), and schemes such as the Innovation Hub and AI Talent Programme.
Speaking at the event, Mr Al Qaed highlighted that the report underscores the government’s dedication to advancing Bahrain’s digital transformation in line with the directives of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology, chaired by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
“The Unesco RAM report reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance Bahrain’s competitiveness by expanding the use of AI technologies through robust frameworks that identify priorities, challenges, and risks,” Mr Al Qaed said.
“It reinforces Bahrain’s commitment to the responsible and ethical use of AI while strengthening national governance, legislation, education, and infrastructure.”
Mr Al Qaed noted that the report’s findings will guide the development of future national AI strategies aimed at ensuring safe, inclusive, and human-centered innovation.
“Through this milestone, Bahrain reinforces its position as a regional leader in ethical, inclusive, and innovative AI, setting a benchmark for the responsible advancement of technology in support of sustainable development,” he said.
Mr Khaled praised Bahrain’s achievement, describing it as ‘a testament to the kingdom’s leadership in digital governance and its commitment to sustainable development’.
He highlighted Bahrain’s 18th global ranking in the United Nations E-Government Development Index 2024 as evidence of the strength of its institutions and public policies.
He further commended Bahrain’s inclusive approach to technological development, noting that 42pc of students in STEM fields are women, and emphasised the importance of continuing investments in digital skills and education.
The RAM framework, one of Unesco’s leading tools for AI assessment, enables member states to evaluate their progress, address challenges, and build responsible strategies for AI development.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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