Authored by Dr. Walid Elfezzani, Gulf University 

Manama, Bahrain: The Prominence of Artificial Intelligence in Bahrain: A Practical Solution for Tomorrow

With the increased competition across the globe for technological advancement, Bahrain is one of the leaders when it comes to the global digital landscape in the Middle East. In this strategically planned pivot towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, the island country is positioning itself further up the hierarchy of the region. Bahrain’s Vision 2030 partnership with educational institutions and even global top tech corporations has made it possible to set up an impressive AI infrastructure. The following pie chart explains the AI growth in Bahrain .

AI growth in Bahrain 

1. Bahrain Vision 2030: The Master Plan. 

It is evident that any analysis of the socio-economic and political life of the Kingdom is incomplete without incorporation of the Vision 2030 document. Launched with the aim of worrying about oil revenues and economic and social development Vision 2030, such as the importance of artificial intelligence. The strategic focus is clear: a more improved AI will assist in boosting productivity, improving the provision of public services, and generating high-end employment. 

As gasoline reserves grow sparser, more and more countries need to look at ‘Vision 2030’ as a new model for development, also for themselves, to become headquartering cities not only in the Gulf Cooperation Council but to the rest of the world. This roadmap includes improvements in the application of AI in the fields of banking, healthcare, transport, and education. It shows a determination to promote the knowledge economy into the future, where AI is considered a key driver of industries. 

2: Education and Innovation: AI Academy at Bahrain Polytechnic 

In a bid to help foster AI skills in the region, Bahrain Polytechnic established the first-ever AI Academy in the Middle East in partnership with Microsoft and Tamkeen. This initiative came in response to the increasing need for such professionals, enabling students to acquire skills coping with the technology in the future. 

The academy is aimed at providing practical AI education by integrating industry as well as academic education. This partnership aims at enhancing creative work, conducting scientific work in the field of artificial intelligence technologies, and the production of specialists who would be ready for employment as well as ready to take the lead of AI-related projects in different areas. The AI Academy showcases Bahrain’s development ethos in AI human capital as a pillar of its AI strategy. 

3-Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB): Driving a Technology Breakthrough 

Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB) has played a crucial role in creating a framework that promotes technological development. In fact, the EDB encourages private-public partnerships and therefore has lured many international technology firms and start-ups into Bahrain that are on the forefront of researching AI technologies. 

Apart from the construction of the agenda’s infrastructure, the EDB works to market Bahrain as a hub for investment in artificial intelligence. By instilling policies that drive innovation, high standards of doing business, and appropriate laws, EDB is setting up Bahrain to be an AI powerhouse in the region. In particular, Bahrain is speeding up its digital transformation by introducing AI to the finance, manufacturing, and healthcare industries. 

4-AI in the GCC: Insights from the PwC Report 

Bahrain’s AI ambitions are, however, not in a vacuum. Countries in the Gulf are in an arms rush to fit AI into the economy. This is epitomized in Bahrain’s 2030 Vision and the UAE’s AI Strategy for 2031. Bahrain’s industry is still very new with regard to AI technologies and therefore has been keen to adhere to the steps dictated by these countries. 

The report makes it clear that AI’s contribution to the GDP of the Middle East could reach 14% by 2030. It is therefore no surprise that Bahrain is also interested in the development of AI, as there exist opportunities for the creation of new industries, new jobs, and business opportunities. The report claims too that it is imperative to retrain the workers towards the changes that will be brought by AI. This is a challenge that Bahrain is facing through its education reforms and partnerships with private enterprises. 

5-Key Sectors for AI Growth in Bahrain 

Bahrain has strategically selected several key sectors that will exponentially grow with new technologies such as AI. 

Finance and Banking: Finance companies are recipients of fundamental structural changes with AI in the fast-growing fintech industry in Bahrain, which ranges from fraud analysis to personalized services. Healthcare: Diagnostic, patient care, and management software are powered by artificial intelligence. Logistics and Manufacturing: AI has made industries more efficient and competitive by enhancing the efficiency of supply chains and production lines. Education: by means of the AI Academy and other programs, the youth are getting ready to take charge of Bahrain’s economy in the age of AI. 

In conclusion, we can say that it’s not surprising why Bahrain’s shift to artificial intelligence has been announced at this time; it is even a necessity in order for Bahrain to retain her place in the fast-growing digital space within the Middle East region. In this regard, there is a high probability that the country will focus on Vision 2030 at the center, which will allow it to decrease its oil dependence and expand the economy due to innovation and new technologies, including AI. Bahrain has focused on blue economy sectors like finance, healthcare, logistics, and education because it hopes to create a future with AI that will boost productivity, improve service delivery, and create high-skill jobs.