Detailed overview
Bahrain does not currently have a single comprehensive AI Act equivalent to the EU AI Act. Its AI framework is based on national AI policy, GCC AI ethics guidance, digital-government rules, public-sector AI governance, data protection and sectoral regulation.
Bahrain launched a National AI Policy and adopted the GCC AI Ethics Manual in 2025. Official materials describe the policy as applying to officials and employees involved in developing and implementing AI and as part of Bahrain's broader digital-government and responsible-AI framework.
Bahrain's AI policy is especially relevant for the public sector. It provides a framework for government entities and employees involved in AI development, procurement, deployment and use. The policy is aligned with ethical AI principles and aims to support responsible, human-centred and accountable AI in public administration.
Bahrain has also developed guidance for the procurement of AI solutions by the government sector. AI procurement guidance is important because many AI risks arise not when a public authority develops AI itself, but when it buys, integrates or relies on AI supplied by third-party vendors.
There is no single Bahrain AI-specific penalty table. Penalties depend on the legal framework breached, including personal-data protection, cybersecurity, telecommunications, financial regulation, healthcare regulation, public-procurement rules, consumer protection, civil liability or criminal law.
Practical requirements & details
Sourced from Bahrain's National AI Policy, the GCC AI Ethics Manual (adopted 2025), and government-sector AI procurement guidance.
Scope of the policy
- Applies to officials and employees involved in developing and implementing AI.
- Frames government AI development, procurement, deployment and use.
- Aligned with ethical AI principles for responsible, human-centred and accountable AI in public administration.
AI procurement
- Guidance addresses risks when public authorities buy, integrate or rely on AI supplied by third-party vendors.
Existing-law overlays
- AI use may trigger personal-data protection, cybersecurity, telecoms, financial regulation, healthcare regulation, public procurement, consumer protection, civil liability or criminal law.
Penalties
- No AI-specific penalty table.
- Penalties depend on the legal framework breached as listed above.