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    AI in Bahrain: the rules, the readiness and where to start

    Last checked: 29 October 2026

    What should a company in Bahrain know before starting with AI?

    Bahrain has no AI law in force as of 29 October 2026; a Shura Council AI bill is still a draft. Law No. 30 of 2018 with respect to Personal Data Protection applies to AI that uses personal data, and some automatic processing, such as biometric identity checks, needs prior written authorisation. A company should check that list first, then automated decisions, transfers abroad and breach reporting.

    At a glance

    Bahrain at a glance

    Key facts about Bahrain
    Data protection lawLaw No. 30 of 2018 with respect to Personal Data Protection, in force since 1 August 2019
    RegulatorPersonal Data Protection Authority (functions assigned on an interim basis to the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, according to law-firm sources)
    AI policyNational Policy for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (iGA, July 2025). No AI law in force as of 29 October 2026
    Time zoneAST, UTC+3 (India is 2.5 hours ahead)
    CurrencyBHD (Bahraini dinar)
    Business languageArabic, with English widely used in business

    Why now

    Why Bahrain is worth watching

    Each point links to the document it comes from.

    • The Information and eGovernment Authority launched a National Policy for the Use of AI on 27 July 2025, with four pillars: legal compliance, adoption, awareness and cooperation.[3]

    • Bahrain adopted the GCC Guiding Manual on the Ethics of AI Use at the same time, covering human autonomy, safety, non-discrimination and privacy.[3]

    • The national AI policy requires compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law and the Open Data Policy, so data rules are the starting point for AI projects.[3]

    • Ten ministerial decisions issued in March 2022 fill in the data law, covering security measures, sensitive data, transfers abroad, notifications and prior authorisation.[2]

    • A Shura Council AI bill would create an AI regulator, but in November 2024 the government asked for changes and suggested a regulatory sandbox instead.[5]

    The rules

    The rules that matter for AI

    What each law or policy means when you build or buy an AI system.

    Law No. 30 of 2018 with respect to Personal Data Protection

    In force2018If a decision based solely on automated processing assesses someone's work performance, finances, creditworthiness, reliability or conduct, the person can ask for it to be reconsidered in a way that is not solely automated, at no charge (Article 22). Transfers abroad need an approved country, case-by-case authorisation, or an exemption such as consent (Articles 12 and 13). Breaking key rules can bring up to a year in prison and fines of BD 1,000 to BD 20,000, doubled for companies (Articles 58 and 59).[1]

    Prior authorisation for automatic processing (Article 15)

    In force2018Written authorisation is needed before automatic processing of sensitive data, biometric data for identity checks, or genetic data, before linking data files of two or more controllers, and before video recording for surveillance. Many AI uses, such as face matching or merging datasets for a model, fall into this list.[1]

    Ministerial decisions implementing the data law

    In force2022Ten decisions set technical and organisational safeguards, sensitive data rules, the list of countries for direct transfers, and procedures for notifications and prior authorisation. A law-firm summary says one decision requires breaches to be reported to the Authority within 72 hours of discovery.[2]

    Draft Artificial Intelligence Regulation Law (Shura Council bill)

    Draft2024Press reports describe a 38-article bill with a new AI regulator, penalties and compensation for AI-caused damage. The government asked for changes in November 2024, and its status is unclear as of 29 October 2026.[5]

    Where AI fits first

    Where AI fits first

    Banking and finance

    Credit pre-screening and fraud alerts, with a person reviewing declines.

    Article 22 names creditworthiness and financial standing, so solely automated credit decisions can be challenged.[1]

    Security and facilities

    Video analytics for site safety or access control.

    Article 15 requires prior authorisation for surveillance video recording and for biometric identity checks.[1]

    Health care

    Drafting clinical summaries and appointment triage, with clinicians deciding.

    Health data is sensitive data, and automatic processing of sensitive or genetic data needs prior authorisation under Article 15, with limited medical exceptions.[1]

    Government services

    Assistants for service questions, with staff approving answers.

    The National Policy for the Use of AI applies to government entities and asks for coordinated AI adoption in public services.[3]

    Your first steps

    Your first steps

    1. Check each AI use against the Article 15 list, and apply for prior authorisation where it applies.
    2. Notify the Authority before processing where the law requires, and keep the notification current.
    3. List automated decisions about work, money, credit, reliability or conduct, and set up a no-charge human reconsideration route.
    4. Map transfers outside Bahrain and confirm each country is on the approved list, or record the exemption you rely on.
    5. Set up a breach process that can reach the Authority within 72 hours.
    6. Read the National Policy for the Use of AI and the GCC ethics manual, especially if you supply government.
    7. Watch the AI bill in parliament, since it would add a regulator and licensing.

    AI services for Bahrain

    AI consulting and development for teams in Bahrain

    We work remotely with companies in Bahrain, in your time zone, and keep your data under the rules described above.

    AI agents and automation

    Agents that finish multi-step work across your tools, with people approving what matters.
    Learn more

    Document Q&A (RAG)

    Answers from your own documents, with the source shown for every answer.
    Learn more

    AI governance and data protection

    Policies, review steps and audit trails that fit your local data law.
    Learn more

    Software and cloud engineering

    Web apps, integrations and cloud platforms built around your AI use case.
    Learn more

    How we work with you

    How we work with you

    We work remotely with clients worldwide, in the client's time zone. Bahrain is on UTC+3 and India on UTC+5:30, a 2.5 hour gap. Taking a 9:00 to 17:00 day in Bahrain and 9:30 to 18:30 in India, the overlap is about 7 hours, from 09:00 to 16:00 Bahrain time. The Bahraini working week is Sunday to Thursday, so Monday to Thursday are shared working days.

    Questions

    Common questions about AI in Bahrain

    Does Bahrain have an AI law?

    Not in force as of 29 October 2026. The Shura Council approved an AI bill, but the government asked for changes in November 2024 and we found no sign that it has been enacted.

    Do we need permission to use face recognition?

    Very likely. Article 15 requires the Authority's prior written authorisation for automatic processing of biometric data to verify identity, and for surveillance video recording.

    Can a customer challenge an AI decision?

    Yes, if the decision is solely automated and assesses things like creditworthiness or work performance. They can ask for reconsideration that is not solely automated, at no charge, with an exception for some contract decisions where safeguards are in place.

    What are the penalties?

    Criminal fines of BD 1,000 to BD 20,000 and up to a year in prison for some breaches, doubled for companies. The Authority can also order a daily penalty and administrative fines of up to BD 20,000 under Article 55.

    Complimentary tools

    Try these first

    Three complimentary tools from our AI Toolkit that suit a team starting out.

    AI readiness score

    Answer a few questions and see where your team stands, in about five minutes.
    Open the tool

    AI use case triage

    Test an idea against data, risk and effort before you spend on it.
    Open the tool

    AI project cost estimator

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    Open the tool

    Read next

    Sources

    Sources

    Facts checked on 29 October 2026. Numbers in square brackets above match this list.
    1. [1] Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission, Kingdom of Bahrain, 2018-07-12. Law No. (30) of 2018 with Respect to Personal Data Protection Law (Engl…(lloc.gov.bh)
      Full title and what we used it for

      Law No. (30) of 2018 with Respect to Personal Data Protection Law (English translation). Official English translation published by the Commission (May 2024 web version); the Arabic text in the Official Gazette controls. Used for Articles 12, 13, 15, 22, 55, 58 and 59 and the commencement article.

    2. [2] Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, 2022-03-20. The Minister of Justice issues ten decisions to implement the Personal…(moj.gov.bh)
      Full title and what we used it for

      The Minister of Justice issues ten decisions to implement the Personal Data Protection Law. Primary news item. Used for the subjects of the ten implementing decisions. The 72-hour breach rule is from s4.

    3. [3] Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), 2025-07-27. Bahrain launches national AI policy and adopts GCC ethics manual(iga.gov.bh)
      Full title and what we used it for

      Bahrain launches national AI policy and adopts GCC ethics manual. Primary. Used for the policy's launch date, pillars, audience, links to the data law, and the GCC ethics manual.

    4. [4] DLA Piper, 2026-02-02. Data Protection Laws of the World: Bahrain(dlapiperdataprotection.com)
      Full title and what we used it for

      Data Protection Laws of the World: Bahrain. Law-firm summary, used for interpretation only: the 1 August 2019 commencement, the interim assignment of the Authority's functions to the Ministry of Justice under Decree No. 78 of 2019, and the 72-hour breach notice.

    5. [5] Daily Tribune (News of Bahrain), 2024-11-23. AI Regulation Bill Faces Pushback as Bahrain Eyes Practical Alternatives(newsofbahrain.com)
      Full title and what we used it for

      AI Regulation Bill Faces Pushback as Bahrain Eyes Practical Alternatives. Press report. Used for the draft AI bill's content and the government's response. We found no later report of enactment.

    6. [6] Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), 2025-05-20. General Policy for the Use of AI (Version 1.0)(iga.gov.bh)
      Full title and what we used it for

      General Policy for the Use of AI (Version 1.0). Primary policy document. Checked for its version (1.0, 20 May 2025) and its four pillars; other content is from the iGA announcement (s3).

    This is general information, not legal advice. Bahrain's data law is in Arabic, we used the official English translation, and some details come from law-firm summaries. Check with a qualified Bahraini lawyer before you act. Facts checked on 29 October 2026.

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