Bahrain Reviews Responsible AI Governance

Chief Prosecutor and Head of the Cybercrime Prosecution Zahra Murad took part in a regional workshop on responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance in Arab countries, organised by the National Human Rights Institution (NIHR).

Murad presented Bahrain’s experience in AI governance and digital transformation, highlighting national policies and initiatives designed to balance the benefits of emerging technologies with legal, security and societal risks.

She referred to Bahrain’s General Policy Guide for AI, which outlines the Kingdom’s approach to the safe and responsible use of AI, and highlighted the country’s international rankings in digital transformation, cybersecurity and AI readiness.

Murad also discussed risks linked to AI technologies, citing the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026, and outlined national legislation addressing crimes involving the misuse of modern technologies, including issues related to criminal liability and digital evidence.

She said the Public Prosecution has continued to adopt technological developments within legal and ethical frameworks, including through the establishment of an AI team tasked with exploring applications in criminal proceedings, monitoring developments and exchanging expertise.

The workshop also reviewed Bahrain’s AI ethics guide, which sets out principles and safeguards for responsible use, including human oversight and legal protections in judicial work.

Murad highlighted the Public Prosecution’s experience using AI-supported electronic pleading in a case, where the technology helped organise, analyse and present evidence before the court, clarifying the facts and connections between different pieces of evidence.

She also presented cases involving the misuse of AI technologies for criminal purposes, explaining how digital and technical evidence is assessed by verifying its source, integrity and relevance, as well as its admissibility before courts.

Murad stressed that the wider adoption of AI should be accompanied by effective governance frameworks and ethical safeguards to balance technological innovation with the protection of rights, legal standards and digital security.