Istanbul: Mohammed Ibrahim Al Sisi Al Buainain, Secretary General of the Council of Representatives, delivered a speech at the meeting of the Association of Secretaries General of National Parliaments, which discussed the use of artificial intelligence in parliaments, on the sidelines of the 152nd IPU General Assembly, held in Trkiye.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Al Buainain highlighted the recent systematic targeting of Bahrain's technological infrastructure as part of hostile attacks by Iran, alongside cyber security threats, disruption of electronic services, and threats to civilian facilities. He emphasized that these incidents constitute a serious violation of the Kingdom's security and stability, contrary to international laws that protect civilians and critical infrastructure. Al Buainain stressed the need for enhanced protection systems and international rules to counteract these growing threats.
The Secretary General noted the importance of treating the security of smart systems, particularly AI applications, as a sovereign dimension. He emphasized that their responsibility extends beyond adopting technologies to securing them within governance frameworks, ensuring that AI supports decision-makers without replacing them. He outlined the Council of Representatives' efforts in Bahrain to integrate AI, reflecting an institutional approach supported by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Al Buainain detailed the Council's achievement in obtaining the Artificial Intelligence Management System certificate, marking it as one of the first parliamentary bodies globally to adopt this standard. He described the comprehensive governance framework developed by the General Secretariat, which includes oversight responsibilities, evaluation mechanisms, and data protection standards, ensuring responsible AI use.
He also highlighted the implementation of smart digital solutions and the launch of a smart virtual assistant on the Council's website, enhancing transparency and improving the digital experience. Al Buainain underscored the importance of investing in human capital through training programs, accompanied by stringent cybersecurity standards to protect data within intelligent systems.
Al Buainain concluded by calling for strengthened cooperation between parliamentary general secretariats to exchange expertise and develop shared standards in AI governance, proposing the establishment of an international parliamentary advisory framework to regulate technology use in legislative and administrative work, preserving the democratic essence of parliamentary institutions in the digital era.