iGA Graduates First AI Talent Program Batch

The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) recently held a graduation ceremony for the first batch of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Talent Program, organized in strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and in collaboration with the University of Bahrain and Ahlia University.

The six-month program aimed to equip outstanding university IT students with practical experience in applying AI solutions to government services. Participants received intensive training in teamwork, programming, and AI-based prototype development at the iGA Innovation Hub, bridging academic knowledge with real-world government needs.

Students worked on two main projects addressing sector-specific challenges: one for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the other for the Statistics and Population Registry. The graduates showcased innovative solutions designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, and regulatory oversight in government operations.

iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed praised the program’s success, stating it prepares national talents to transform academic skills into practical innovations aligned with Bahrain Vision 2030. He highlighted the importance of collaboration with universities and AWS in supporting Bahrain’s digital transformation journey.

During the ceremony, Al Qaed announced the launch of the second batch of the AI Talent Program, which will include 20 students from six universities: Bahrain Polytechnic, Kingdom University, Arab Open University, Applied Science University, University of Bahrain, and Ahlia University. The new batch will feature a wider range of applied projects, reflecting the growing impact of the initiative.

Ms. Eman Ahmed Al Dossary, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, praised the program for developing an AI-powered system to manage promotional campaigns and commercial discounts. She said the system will improve licensing procedures, enhance regulatory oversight, and ensure market transparency and consumer protection.

University of Bahrain President Dr. Fuad Mohammed Al Ansari emphasized that the students’ performance reflects the university’s commitment to aligning academic education with market needs. He noted the students’ work on a system to track and analyze foreign investment demonstrates their readiness to solve real-world challenges.

Professor Mansoor Alaali, President of Ahlia University, added that the program embodies applied innovation and project-based learning, preparing national talents to contribute to Bahrain’s competitiveness and digital transformation.

The first batch included 13 students—7 from Ahlia University and 6 from University of Bahrain—who specialized in IT and worked in two groups on innovative projects addressing government challenges.