Manama: The regional workshop on Responsible Governance of Artificial Intelligence in Arab Countries commenced today, organised by the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) in Bahrain, in cooperation with the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and in partnership with the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organisation (AICTO).
According to Bahrain News Agency, the two-day workshop, held on September 16 - 17, brought together representatives of governments, national human rights institutions, regional and international organisations, United Nations agencies, the private sector and civil society organisations, providing a platform for regional dialogue on developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and their implications for human rights.
The opening session featured a speech delivered by First Advocate General Wael Rashid Buallay, Assistant Public Prosecutor, on behalf of the Public Prosecutor. He highlighted the importance of harnessing AI technologies to develop the justice system and enhance procedural efficiency, within regulatory and ethical frameworks that safeguard rights and privacy while balancing the benefits of technological innovation with the requirements of justice.
He also reviewed the Public Prosecution's efforts to establish frameworks and controls for the responsible use of AI in its work, stressing the importance of human oversight, transparency, accountability, equality and non-discrimination. These principles, he said, are essential to ensuring the responsible use of such technologies in line with constitutional principles, legal safeguards and human rights.
Ali Ahmed Al Derazi, President of the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions and Chairman of the NIHR, also addressed the opening session, emphasising the importance of establishing responsible AI governance that places human rights at the core of the design, development and use of these technologies. He highlighted the need to move beyond general principles and frameworks towards practical implementation by strengthening transparency, accountability and non-discrimination.
Al Derazi also underscored the proactive role of national human rights institutions in contributing to policymaking, reviewing legislative and regulatory frameworks, and assessing the impact of AI systems on human rights. He expressed hope that the workshop would help shape a shared Arab vision, develop practical frameworks and monitoring mechanisms, and establish an actionable regional roadmap that places human rights at the heart of technological transformation.
For his part, Mohammed bin Omar, Director-General of the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organisation, stressed the importance of continuing to build an integrated Arab framework for AI governance, based on international standards while taking into account the region's social, cultural and linguistic specificities. He said such an approach would promote security, reliability, ethics, inclusivity and digital sovereignty, while placing human dignity at the centre of technological development.
He also reviewed several regional initiatives and frameworks supporting these efforts, expressing hope that the workshop's outcomes would make a practical contribution to Arab efforts to develop responsible AI governance and enhance the region's readiness to harness its potential safely and inclusively.
The opening session concluded with a speech by Asmaa Shalabi, UNDP Resident Representative in Bahrain, who highlighted the opportunities AI offers to improve the efficiency of public services, support innovation and advance inclusive development. She also stressed the need to ensure that AI is governed responsibly in a manner that protects human rights and human dignity and promotes accountability, transparency and non-discrimination.
Shalabi emphasised the importance of moving from principles to practical implementation through the development of actionable frameworks and tools for AI governance in the Arab region. She expressed hope that the workshop would contribute to developing a practical roadmap identifying institutional responsibilities, opportunities for cooperation and capacity-building needs, thereby supporting responsible, human rights-based AI governance.
The workshop aims to support Arab efforts to develop responsible, human rights-based AI governance by strengthening regional coordination, aligning with global standards and facilitating the exchange of expertise and best practices. It also seeks to develop practical frameworks and tools that promote accountability, transparency, non-discrimination, participation and inclusion.
The programme covers several key topics, including global trends in AI governance and their relationship with human rights, as well as regional initiatives and national experiences in Arab countries and beyond, with the participation of experts and specialists and representatives of national, regional and international entities. The second day will feature interactive sessions focusing on the design of a comprehensive Arab regulatory framework for AI and the development of a framework for monitoring responsible governance. These discussions aim to help formulate regulatory principles and identify institutional responsibilities and monitoring and implementation mechanisms suited to the regional context.