Emerging technologies boosting Bahrain's infrastructure, says top tech expert

TDT | Manama                               

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Reported by Julia Cassano

Bahrain is working to adopt various emerging technologies to further its goals and to establish itself as a regional pioneer, according to a report by the national portal bahrain.bh.

The emerging tech, the report adds, supports technology-driven businesses and encourages them to progress the economy.

The strategy is in line with Economic Vision 2030 and the commitment to transform government services to ensure a better quality of life for citizens and residents. Dr Jassim Haji, President of the International Group of Artificial Intelligence, says this strategy benefits the Kingdom and its citizens dearly.

“Historically, Bahrain has been a pioneer in technology,” he told the Daily Tribune, highlighting: “The “first CPU was installed in 1940 in Awali, and the first computing exhibition in the Middle East was in Hoora in 1977.”

“For decades, the Kingdom has worked to develop technology, which, in turn, has supported the economy in various sectors.” Besides, the liberalisation of the telecom sector, a first in the Gulf, gave the economy a new direction.

“Being a pioneer in the region has helped the Kingdom to develop strategies, mainly for 5G in telecom. “Advances in Fintech and Blockchain banking secured financial activities, producing substantial impacts on the Kingdom.

“Some of the most impactful developments in technology and infrastructure in Bahrain boosted sectors such as aviation, banking, telecommunications, factories, and oil and gas.” The deployment of modern technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) further boosted efforts.

AI and modern technologies are expanding businesses across the public sector and helped the judicial sector to streamline procedures. All these development, Dr Haji noted, is helping Bahrain present itself as a hub of AI human capital in the GCC and the Middle East.

In this regard, he added: “His Highness Shaikh Nasser Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Centre has developed several local AI/ML solutions for the public and private sectors. This centre supports and encourages young Bahraini innovators and entrepreneurs in technology.”