Al Salam Bank Becomes the First Bank in the Region to Achieve ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Certification for Its Artificial Intelligence Management System

Al Salam Bank announced that it has achieved ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification for its Artificial Intelligence Management System, positioning it as the first Bank in the region to achieve this international certification The achievement forms part of Al Salam Bank’s broader journey towards becoming an AI-powered Bank, supported by an integrated institutional framework led by the Bank’s Information Technology Department, to enable the responsible development, use, deployment, and governance of artificial intelligence.

The ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification provides an internationally recognized management framework for governing AI-related opportunities and risks, supporting clearly defined accountability, risk assessment, lifecycle controls, monitoring, and continual improvement of AI-enabled solutions. The framework also establishes a clear foundation for scaling AI responsibly while maintaining an appropriate balance between innovation, governance, accountability, risk management, and human involvement.

The certification awarded to Al Salam Bank covers the design, development, deployment, and operation of AI-powered applications and solutions managed by the Bank’s Information Technology Department, intended to support regulated services, information access, internal operations, and AI-enabled services, in accordance with the Statement of Applicability, version 1.1, dated 8 June 2026.

Achieving the certification reinforces Al Salam Bank’s commitment to adopting artificial intelligence in a responsible, transparent, and secure manner, while leveraging AI as an enabler to enhance the client experience, improve operational efficiency, and support more informed decision-making within a clear governance and accountability framework. The achievement also reflects the collective efforts of teams across the Bank, together with the continued support of its leadership and partners, in building a strong and sustainable foundation for AI management.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Anwar Murad, Deputy Group CEO – Banking at Al Salam Bank, said: “Achieving this certification represents the outcome of focused efforts to build a strong and responsible foundation for the adoption of AI across Al Salam Bank. We view AI as an important enabler of enhanced client experiences, greater operational efficiency, and more informed decision-making, supported at all times by clear governance, accountability, and risk management. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our teams and the continued support of our leadership and partners, and we will continue to advance our AI capabilities in a responsible and secure manner aligned with the Bank’s values and strategic priorities.”

Commenting on the achievement, Anoop Surendran, - SGS Bahrain, said: “On behalf of SGS Bahrain, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Al Salam Bank on achieving ISO 42001 Certification and becoming the first bank in Bahrain to attain this prestigious certification through SGS. This remarkable achievement reflects the Bank’s commitment to responsible AI governance, innovation, and international best practices. We are proud to have partnered with Al Salam Bank on this milestone journey and wish them continued success in leading the way for the banking sector in Bahrain.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Ahmed Albalooshi, CEO of Advantari, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with Al Salam Bank on the implementation of an AI governance and management system in line with the international ISO/IEC 42001 standard. This collaboration reflects the Bank’s confidence in Advantari’s capabilities and expertise in this important field. The project represents a significant and strategic step in strengthening the Bank’s AI capabilities, supporting the advancement of its operations and enhancing the quality of client service.”

Al Salam Bank will continue to advance its AI capabilities in line with its values and strategic priorities, leveraging the governance framework established through the certification to support the consistent evaluation and management of future AI initiatives. This will enable the Bank to continue innovating and adopting emerging technologies in ways that serve its clients and employees while enhancing operational efficiency.