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Record STMT-WCC09B7Legally binding

General Policy for the Use of Artificial Intelligence

Institutional policy State lawMiddle East · BHadopted

This policy establishes a comprehensive framework for the safe, ethical, and effective use of artificial intelligence across government entities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is structured around four main pillars covering compliance with legislation and policies, adoption of AI technologies, awareness and education, and local and international cooperation. The policy sets out eleven fundamental principles, including human decision-making, safety, transparency, and accountability, while assigning specific responsibilities to governing bodies such as the Information & eGovernment Authority.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Information & eGovernment AuthorityRegulator · BH
Lead issuer
Legal forceLegally binding
Under whose authorityState law
Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

Public sector bodiesNational government

Government officials and public sector employees in Bahrain who need to understand the rules and standards for adopting and using artificial intelligence.

Sectors
Public administration · government services and operations

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers principles, objectives, rules, and institutional responsibilities for adopting artificial intelligence within Bahrain's government sector. It addresses legal compliance, technological integration across public services, employee awareness and education, and local and international cooperation.

What's missing

Specific technical benchmarks for AI system testing, algorithmic auditing standards, and enforcement mechanisms for private sector actors outside government procurement are not detailed in the text.

Key takeaways
  • The policy applies to all government entities in the Kingdom of Bahrain to guide the adoption and integration of AI technologies.
  • It establishes eleven core principles including human-in-the-loop decision-making, safety, fairness, transparency, and data protection.
  • Government entities must comply with existing national legislation such as the Personal Data Protection Law and the Cybercrime Law.
  • Continuous employee training, awareness-raising, and skill development are mandated for public sector workers.
  • The Information & eGovernment Authority oversees the implementation, management, and updating of this policy.
Principles it states
Human Decision-MakingSafety and Prevention of HarmFairness, Equity, and Non-DiscriminationTransparency and ExplainabilityResponsibility, Accountability, and AwarenessIntegrity and Non-FabricationPrivacy and Data ProtectionReliability and SafetyInvestment in Advanced TechnologyPromoting Technological InnovationProtection of Intellectual Property Rights
Outline
1. Glossary
2. Introduction
3. Scope
4. Principles
5. Objectives
6. General Policy Pillars for the Use of Artificial Intelligence
7. Roles and Responsibilities
8. Activation of the General Policy for the Use of Artificial Intelligence
9. Changes That May Occur to This Policy
10. Comments and Suggestions
11. Related Sources and References
Issued20 May 2025
Length4,459 words · 13 pages
FormatNot recorded
Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

Government entities bear the responsibility of applying and using AI technologies, meaning that any negative effects resulting from these solutions are attributed to the responsible individuals

Section 6.2.2

screening score · 2026-10-23

Fairness

4/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

This principle emphasizes that artificial intelligence technologies must be fair, ensuring equity for all without any discrimination based on race, religion, gender

Section 4

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Oversight

4/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

This principle is based on the idea that artificial intelligence technologies are tools to assist humans in decision-making. However, the final decision in important matters must remain under human control

Section 4

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

Personal Data Protection Law, issued under Law No. (30) of 2018, aims to regulate how personal data is processed and protected in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Section 6.1.2.1

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

4/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

This principle states the importance of having processes carried out by artificial intelligence systems that are clear and transparent, such that they are explainable and understandable

Section 4

screening score · 2026-10-23

Enforcement

4/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

From that date, all government entities are required to comply with the rules, requirements, and guiding principles outlined in this policy.

Section 8

screening score · 2026-10-23

Impact Assessment

4/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

Government entities should study the possibility of employing AI solutions in government initiatives, projects, and procurements.

Section 6.2.2

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

artificial_intelligence government_policy data_protection ethics digital_transformation