MPs call for joint GCC artificial intelligence plan to spur regional growth

TDT | Manama

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MP Khalid Buanaq and a group of MPs want Bahrain to work with Gulf states on a shared artificial intelligence plan, arguing that without one, the region will stay a buyer of foreign technology rather than a player in its own right.

The proposal, lodged in Parliament, pushes the government to work with its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners on a single strategy for artificial intelligence.

The plan, they say, would help Gulf states stay ahead in an industry that is reshaping business, government, and daily life.

The MPs argue that without a joint effort, the region will be left behind, stuck using technology built elsewhere rather than shaping it.

“The GCC stands at a crossroads,” the proposal states. “Either we build a self-reliant system, or we stay in the shadow of others.”

The proposal calls for stronger backing for AI training to build a skilled local workforce, along with clear laws that encourage new ideas while keeping risks in check.

It also points to the role of private firms, arguing that any push forward must involve business as much as government. There are challenges, the MPs admit.

The GCC has long relied on technology built overseas, and there is a shortfall of skilled AI workers.

Even so, they argue, the building blocks for growth are already in place — modern infrastructure, deep pockets, and strong backing from those in charge.

Gulf states are already racing to claim ground in AI, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE throwing billions into the field.

MPs say working together will put the region in a stronger spot to compete, rather than just picking up what others have made.