Gulf and Arab countries should play a greater role in AI governance by developing a clear and customised roadmap that ensures human rights principles are not violated, a forum heard.
The regional workshop on Responsible AI Governance in the Arab States was organised by the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), the United Nations Development Programme and other entities at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain yesterday.
Representatives from the Arab League, regional human rights bodies and United Nations agencies attended the event that aimed to raise awareness and share lessons learned on AI governance.
NIHR commissioner Abdulla Al Thawadi said that while AI is transforming economies and societies, it is also creating a new generation that, he believes, lacks independent thinking due to its heavy reliance on generative AI tools for daily activities.
“There are workplaces here and around the world where individuals, including students, are lazy, using ChatGPT, Gemini and other tools to seek answers to basic questions,” said Mr Al Thawadi, who is also an information and communication technology (ICT) and cybersecurity consultant.
“This has affected human creativity and independent thinking, and has lowered the confidence of these users, who want a quick fix to their problems.
“It’s effective to use AI tools to upskill or further improve your existing body of work, such as a presentation, or in the field of radiology, for example. But entering prompts seeking diet plans, solutions to medical conditions and advice on other matters is not appropriate, as these require professional expertise rather than a digital assistant.”
He added that even popular AI tools carry disclaimers about possible errors and urge fact-checking using other important sources.
There are several studies that back Mr Al Thawadi’s comments; for instance, a study entitled Generative Artificial Intelligence Reliance and Executive Function Attenuation: Behavioural Evidence of Cognitive Offload in High-Use Adults, published in April this year, covered nearly 2,000 working adults in the US and Canada. It found that tools on which they relied heavily like Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT were ‘doing the thinking’ for them.
Those same participants also reported lower confidence in their own reasoning and a weaker sense of ownership over their ideas.
Conversely, by some estimates, generative AI could lift global GDP by seven per cent over the next decade, largely driven by its ability to analyse vast amounts of data, identify complex patterns and generate insights at unprecedented speed. In addition, AI can unlock up to $370 billion in sustainable investment across the Middle East and North Africa region by 2030, according to reports.
Mr Al Thawadi stressed the need for checks on AI, warning that unregulated use could lead to violation of human rights, including privacy and freedom of expression, while also unleashing an army of young people who outsource their problems to chatbots, and wait for the answers.
“We need a generation that thinks right, and not one that types a prompt on their screen to check if what they think is right,” he said.
He further dismissed the popular narrative that AI could replace jobs, adding that the same claim was made when computers were introduced decades ago.
“Gulf countries are working together on AI governance and a set of standards to ensure human rights are protected and not violated,” he said. “We could have a dedicated AI agency and a minister, but it all depends on how quickly we adopt, govern and balance innovation.”
Similar views were echoed by Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom, who said AI was making significant advances that require regulations.
“We want to benefit from AI and in Bahrain we have a set of rules in place with new regulations on the way,” said Mr Al Salloom.
Speaking at the opening of the conference yesterday was senior advocate-general and assistant attorney-general Wael Buallay, who highlighted how AI was being incorporated in the activities of the Public Prosecution.
“AI tools have reduced the time required for and streamlined procedures within judicial work at the Public Prosecution,” said Mr Buallay. “Bahrain and other GCC countries continue to work in AI governance to ensure transparency and guarantee respect to human rights.”
NIHR chairperson Ali Al Derazi said Bahrain adopted a digital transformation policy at an earlier stage while ensuring alignment with human rights and societal values.
“We need to draw up a regional framework to tackle any misuse of AI, especially when it impacts human rights, and to further ensure accountability,” he added.
The conference continues today with discussions on AI governance in Arab States and beyond, designing an AI Pan Arab Regulatory Framework Toolkit, and a final list of recommendations.
Bahrain has recognised the importance of AI in streamlining processes and is taking steps towards its adoption and application in a range of fields.
This includes using AI to detect changes and construction violations using satellite imagery, developing AI-powered chatbots, automated monitoring of all palm trees, initiatives in education and training, including AI degree programmes in universities and vocational institutions, university AI labs, and hackathons, which offer youth opportunities to gain knowledge.
The GDN reported last year that the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) had launched a national initiative to train 50,000 Bahrainis in AI skills by 2030.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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