TLDR: UNESCO has released a global report assessing Bahrain’s readiness for artificial intelligence, praising the Kingdom’s significant progress and potential to lead the region in ethical and innovative AI. Bahrain is the second GCC country to undergo this assessment, which highlights national initiatives like the 2025 National AI Policy and offers recommendations for future development.
Manama, Bahrain – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has unveiled its global report evaluating the Kingdom of Bahrain’s preparedness in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), lauding the nation’s promising advancements in this critical technological domain. The report, released on November 13, 2025, positions Bahrain as the second GCC country to receive such a comprehensive assessment, underscoring its commitment to digital transformation.
The UNESCO report is a product of the organisation’s initiatives to assist member states in gauging their readiness to adopt AI technologies through its rigorous Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). This methodology aligns with internationally recognized standards, providing a robust framework for evaluating a country’s AI ecosystem.
The assessment commended Bahrain’s notable progress in AI adoption and recognized its potential to emerge as a regional leader in ethical, inclusive, and innovative AI. It highlighted several pivotal national initiatives that underpin this advancement, including the establishment of the Information & eGovernment Authority’s (iGA) Innovation and Advanced Technology Directorate, the adoption of the GCC AI Ethics Guiding Manual in 2023, and the launch of the National AI Policy in 2025. Supporting initiatives such as the Innovation Hub and the AI Talent Programme were also acknowledged.
The announcement coincided with an official meeting between the iGA and UNESCO representatives to formally launch the AI Readiness Assessment Report. Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, iGA Chief Executive, expressed immense pride in the report’s release, stating, “It reflects the government’s dedication to supporting national efforts to enhance Bahrain’s digital advancement and competitiveness in the regional technology sector.”
Salah Khaled, Director of the UNESCO Doha Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, emphasized the importance of continued partnership to support the implementation of the report’s recommendations. The report also presented a series of recommendations aimed at further bolstering Bahrain’s efforts in AI adoption and advancing research into the social, economic, and environmental impacts of this technology, thereby ensuring sustainable, people-centred innovation.
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Al Qaed further noted that the report serves as a crucial tool for accurately assessing the current situation, identifying strengths, pinpointing gaps, and uncovering opportunities for development. This comprehensive evaluation will be instrumental in establishing future national plans that enhance Bahrain’s capacity to adopt AI technologies safely and responsibly, reinforcing its position among leading countries in the field regionally and internationally and supporting its drive towards a knowledge- and innovation-based digital economy.
