Bahrain has provisionally approved an urgent proposal calling for the wider use of artificial intelligence (AI) across government ministries and the automation of public services to enhance efficiency and governance. The proposal, presented by five Members of Parliament (MPs) and led by MP Hassan Ibrahim, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee, has been forwarded to relevant committees for further review by Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam.
The committees will need to consider the potential job losses resulting from AI implementation and assess any associated security risks. However, Speaker Al Musallam emphasized the growing importance of AI for cost control and the enhancement of service quality. He highlighted that AI has become an essential tool for improving governmental efficiency and service delivery, which is crucial for Bahrain’s ongoing digital transformation efforts.
“Artificial intelligence has proven to be a powerful tool in improving service quality and increasing government efficiency,” the Speaker remarked. “Expanding its use across government entities will accelerate service delivery, reduce administrative and financial burdens, and improve transparency and accuracy in governance.”
AI, he added, is integral to institutional performance, enabling governments worldwide to analyze vast data sets, develop proactive solutions for various challenges, and make more accurate, effective decisions. Given Bahrain’s digital transformation goals, he argued, AI should be deployed more broadly across all government agencies, including those offering direct and indirect services to citizens.
MP Ibrahim emphasized the potential of AI in data analysis and decision-making. “Intelligent systems can process government data with high precision, providing insights that help officials make decisions based on scientific principles,” he said.
He also underscored AI’s ability to increase transparency and fight corruption. AI-powered financial data systems could monitor government transactions and detect irregularities that might indicate violations or corruption. Additionally, AI can be utilized in internal audits of government accounts, ensuring the optimal use of public funds. Ibrahim added that AI could generate periodic reports that identify areas for improvement, promoting integrity across government operations.
