Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), took part in the Global AI Summit 2024 in Riyadh, held under the auspices of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The event, organized by the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) and UNESCO, runs from September 10-12, bringing together leaders and AI experts from 100 countries to discuss advancements in AI technology.
The summit features discussions on generative AI, big data applications, and the alignment of technical skills with ethical AI standards. Al Qaed, participating in a ministerial session on ethical AI governance, praised Saudi Arabia’s meticulous preparations and underscored the importance of the summit in setting future AI governance frameworks.
Highlighting Bahrain’s initiatives, Al Qaed noted that under the guidance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain is embracing AI to boost government efficiency and enhance services. This effort is part of a broader national digital transformation, adhering to global standards of privacy, security, and ethics.
He emphasized Bahrain’s commitment to integrating AI across various sectors, enhancing government productivity, and fostering scientific research. Al Qaed also discussed the crucial role of AI in economic development, its ability to attract investments, and its impact on improving quality of life.
Further, he touched on the importance of ethical guidelines and partnerships in AI deployment, referring to Bahrain’s GCC AI Ethics Guideline initiative. This initiative aims to promote responsible AI use and bolster data sharing between the public and private sectors. Bahrain is also investing in AI education, with university programs, AI labs, and hackathons designed to prepare the youth for future technological challenges.
The Global AI Summit is a major event with over 456 speakers, 150 discussions, and workshops, attracting more than 32,000 attendees globally, highlighting its scale and impact on the AI community.
