At a time when the world is witnessing an accelerating boom in adopting artificial intelligence techniques, the Kingdom of Bahrain stands with confidence, not because it was the first to discover this technology, but rather because it believed in it early, and it established its pillars at a time when the world has not yet absorbed the size of the next digital transformation. In 2007, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the king of the country, may God protect and preserve him, issued a decree establishing the Information and Electronic Government Authority, so that this decision would be the cornerstone of a national project that is far -sighted, which redefined the state’s relationship with public service, and opened the door to a comprehensive digital transformation.
This move was not just an administrative update or in response to the changes of the moment, but rather a proactive vision that put Bahrain on a clear way to build a modern digital infrastructure, prepares state institutions to adopt technology in its various joints, and provides the citizen smart services based on efficiency, speed and transparency.
Today, this vision is renewed under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, may God protect him, who directed the speedy pace of digital transformation by employing artificial intelligence techniques in the vital sectors, raising the efficiency of government performance, and achieving the highest standards of privacy and moral compliance in the use of technology.
Artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental concept or limited to laboratories or major companies, but rather has become part of people’s daily lives. The student uses it to learn, the doctor to diagnose, the engineer in planning, and the employee to simplify tasks. We are no longer looking for how to “learn artificial intelligence”, but how to make it work for our benefit, consistent with our needs, and add a real value to institutions and society.
But the truth that should not be ignored is that technology does not succeed in its existence alone, but rather how to use it. To have a smart machine that does not mean that you will achieve smart results, unless this machine is prepared to understand your environment, manage with trained minds, and employ clear goals. Artificial intelligence, in its essence, is not creative on its own, but rather needs human intelligence that directs it, polish it and re -design it constantly.
In this context, Bahrain is proceeding with a confident pace in implementing the national strategy for digital economy, which aims to employ artificial intelligence in vital areas such as education, health, transportation, and security, as well as promoting scientific research, developing national competencies, and expanding digital infrastructure to keep pace with global transformations.
Bahrain does not wait for developments to catch up with it, but rather creates an active position for itself in the heart of this global transformation. We are not running behind the digital train, but one of its vehicles. The world today is dazzled by what artificial intelligence can do, but in Bahrain we are busy with a deeper question, what can actually add to people’s lives? How do we make this technology a tool to improve the quality of services, the efficiency of institutions, and the prosperity of society?
Artificial intelligence is not a passing wave, but rather a pillar of the future, and it must be part of our educational culture, our training curricula, and our professional tools. The future is not granted to those who hesitate, but today is made at the hands of those who have the audacity to innovate, the ability to plan, and the will to continue.
