Emerging Technologies

Digital transformation is at the core of the Kingdom of Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, a forward-thinking national development plan that prioritizes sustainability, competitiveness, and fairness. The Government's Digital Government Strategy 2022 underscores its dedication to leveraging emerging technologies for the betterment of citizens and residents, aiming to enhance their quality of life.

Bahrain has embraced a diverse array of emerging technologies, positioning itself as a regional trailblazer in this transformative journey. Through comprehensive reforms and strategic support for technology-driven businesses, the government has not only empowered these Information and Communications Technology (ICT) enterprises but also assumed a crucial regulatory role. The outcomes have been remarkable, with Bahrain experiencing robust economic growth, job creation, and human development, ultimately improving the lives of its citizens.

The Realm of Emerging Technologies in Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain has liberalized its telecom sector, leading to a profound shift in the nation's economic landscape. Today, Bahrain boasts a well-established Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure that garners recognition throughout the region.

The Kingdom's achievements are underscored by its top-ranking position in the Arab region on the ICT Development Index (IDI) 2023, as per the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report. Additionally, Bahrain stands as the 4th global leader in the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII) according to the United Nations eGovernment Development Index.

Presently, Bahrain continues its upward trajectory, embracing modern technologies and harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance government services. These advancements have played a pivotal role in ensuring business continuity across the public sector, including the judicial sphere, where streamlined procedures have facilitated operations.

Cloud Nation

Bahrain took pioneer steps in adopting Cloud Computing in the public sector and Cloud has proved to be a game-changer for Bahrain’s economy as per IDC report 2023. As the first country in the Middle East and Africa region to adopt a nationwide Cloud-First policy in 2017, Bahrain compels government entities to adopt cloud environments in place of on-premises infrastructure. This has led to an increased uptake of public cloud services across public and private sector organizations of all sizes. Bahrain is also the 1st in the region to implement multi-cloud and hybrid cloud systems in the government sector.

Roadmap for Innovation

Innovation and emerging technology roadmap is institutionalized in Bahrain by creating a dedicated Directorate under the Information & eGovernment Authority called “Innovation & Advanced Technologies”. This Directorate overarchs the adoption of innovation strategies in the public sector and steers the roadmap of emerging technologies implementation that optimize the public service delivery.

Noteworthy Initiatives and Success Stories

The Kingdom of Bahrain has not only championed emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, and big data analytics but has also applied them effectively in various sectors. The Kingdom's commitment to modernization is evident in initiatives such as the Bahrain International Conference for Artificial Intelligence in the Judiciary, which showcases its dedication to incorporating modern technologies in the legal sector, particularly in Courts and Cases Services.

During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahrain's education sector seamlessly transitioned to remote learning through the cloud-based educational gateway called EDUNET. Moreover, the BeAware Bahrain app, developed in-house by the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), emerged as a national success story. The app effectively utilizing AI and Big Data Analytics to identify suspected cases and control the spread of the virus. Its swift launch significantly contributed to the country's efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus and the overall impact of the pandemic.

Furthermore, Bahrain took pioneering steps in the field of genetics by launching the National Genome Center and Genome Program in 2019. This initiative aimed to collect 50,000 samples from citizens to draw Bahrain’s genetic map by creating a comprehensive database that contributes to monitoring and preventing genetic diseases.

In addition to advancements in healthcare and education, Bahrain has also made notable strides in leveraging technology for environmental sustainability and agricultural development. One initiative involves the utilization of big data technology on the Bahrain Open Data platform to extract information, facilitating data-driven decision-making processes across various sectors. Furthermore, artificial intelligence technology has been employed in monitoring palm trees, enabling researchers and investors in the Kingdom to develop plans in the field of food security.

These achievements are a testament to Bahrain's commitment to harnessing technology for the betterment of its citizens and the continued growth of its society, exemplifying its position as a forward-thinking nation dedicated to innovation and advancement.