Examples of National Initiatives Supporting the Achievement of this Goal
Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence
The launch of the National Policy for the Use of Artificial Intelligence and the adoption of the GCC Guiding Manual on the Ethical Use of AI in July 2025 marked an important step in Bahrain’s efforts to advance responsible AI development. These frameworks aim to promote the ethical development and application of AI technologies while supporting innovation, transparency, data protection, and alignment with international standards. Together, they contribute to establishing a trusted and future-ready digital ecosystem that harnesses the potential of AI to enhance government efficiency, support economic development, and advance sustainable development.
The National Innovation Strategy
The National Innovation Strategy 2025–2035 aims to strengthen Bahrain’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy and establish the Kingdom as a leading regional innovation hub. The strategy focuses on four key pillars: research and development, national talent and future skills, intellectual property protection, and an enabling environment for innovation. Through 14 strategic initiatives, it seeks to promote collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and academia, increase investment in research and development to 2% of GDP by 2035, and position Bahrain among the top 50 countries in the Global Innovation Index, enhancing economic diversification and global competitiveness.
Advancing Digital Transformation
Bahrain continues to advance its digital transformation through initiatives aimed at enhancing government services, strengthening digital infrastructure, and fostering innovation. In 2025, the Kingdom launched the National Digital Economy Strategy 2030 to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital twin applications, while supporting economic diversification and digital connectivity. Key developments include the launch of eKey 2.0, which enables secure and seamless digital identity verification through biometric authentication, and the MyGov application, which provides unified access to government services. Together, these initiatives contribute to improving service delivery, enhancing accessibility, and building a more connected and innovative digital economy.
Advancing Space Science and Technology
The Bahrain Space Agency (BSA) plays a strategic role in advancing national capabilities in space sciences, data, and satellite technologies to support sustainable development. The agency leverages satellite data and remote sensing technologies to strengthen infrastructure resilience, environmental planning, climate change monitoring, smart urban planning, and disaster preparedness. In March 2025, Bahrain marked a significant milestone with the successful launch of Al Munther, the Kingdom’s first domestically designed and developed satellite, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-13 mission. Together, these efforts contribute to strengthening national expertise in space technologies and harnessing space-based innovation to enhance Bahrain’s long-term environmental and infrastructure resilience.