CEIAI Governance Database
Back to the database
Record STMT-W77C348Legally binding

General Policy for the Use of Artificial Intelligence

Institutional policy State lawBHadopted

The General Policy for the Use of Artificial Intelligence establishes a comprehensive framework for the safe, ethical, and effective adoption of AI technologies across government entities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It outlines eleven core principles ranging from human decision-making and non-discrimination to privacy and data protection, while detailing requirements across four main pillars: policy commitment, AI adoption, awareness and education, and local and international cooperation. The policy mandates strict compliance with existing national legislations such as the Personal Data Protection Law and Cybercrime Law, ensuring that AI enhances government services while safeguarding individual rights and state security.

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

Who issued it

Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication TechnologyGovernment (executive) · BH
Lead issuer
International Bar AssociationProfessional
Publisher
Information & eGovernment AuthorityRegulator · BH
Publisher
Legal forceLegally binding
Under whose authorityState law
Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

Public sector bodiesNational governmentAI deployers and usersResearchers and academics

This policy is for government officials, public sector employees, and IT personnel in Bahrain to ensure safe, ethical, and efficient integration of AI in public services.

Sectors
Public administration · government services and operationsCross-sector

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers the strategic pillars, principles, objectives, and governance rules required for deploying artificial intelligence within Bahrain's government entities. It addresses compliance with national legislation, technical adoption criteria, employee awareness and education programs, and the establishment of local and international cooperation frameworks.

What's missing

The text does not provide specific technical algorithms, detailed procurement pricing frameworks, or binding legal penalties for non-compliance outside of referencing existing national statutory laws.

Key takeaways
  • The policy applies to all government entities in the Kingdom of Bahrain to guide the implementation and integration of artificial intelligence technologies.
  • Eleven core principles govern the framework, emphasizing human oversight, safety, fairness, transparency, and data protection.
  • Government entities must comply with existing national laws including the Personal Data Protection Law, Cybercrime Law, and State Documents Protection Law.
  • The Information & eGovernment Authority oversees the implementation, management, and updating of the policy in coordination with public sector bodies.
  • Continuous training, awareness programs, and strategic local and international partnerships are mandated to develop national AI capabilities and talent.
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
  6.1. First Pillar: Commitment to Policies and Legislations
  6.2. Second Pillar: Use and Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Technologies
  6.3. Third Pillar: Awareness and Education
  6.4. Fourth Pillar: Encouraging Local and International Cooperation
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
Length4,455 words
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, not to the machine.

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, or any other non -objective factors

Section 4

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

4/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

This principle aims to ensure that all artificial intelligence applications are safe and capable of preventing any physical or psychological harm to individuals or society.

Section 4

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Oversight

4/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

However, the final decision in important matters must remain under human control, especially in cases related to individual and societal rights.

Section 4

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

This principle involves protecting privacy and ensuring that personal data is preserved and secure when used in artificial intelligence systems, in accordance with applicable laws and standards

Section 4

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 by users and specialists

Section 4

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 ethical_ai digital_transformation