Geneva: Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Telecommunications at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, participated in the ministerial session of the WSIS+20 High-Level Event, organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on the sidelines of the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the session focused on artificial intelligence strategies and policies, ways to build national capabilities, and enhance international cooperation to harness the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in support of sustainable development. Shaikh Ahmed highlighted that the transition to an artificial intelligence-driven digital economy begins with investing in people and providing advanced and secure digital infrastructure. He emphasized that the telecommunications sector is crucial for enabling artificial intelligence applications through reliable, high-performance networks supporting innovation, digital services, and cloud computing.
Bahrain continues to invest in developing national cadres in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, collaborating with academic institutions, the private sector, and technology partners. This initiative aims to prepare national cadres capable of leading the digital economy while focusing on youth empowerment and enhancing women's participation in technology fields. Shaikh Ahmed noted the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure and technical readiness to support the expansion of artificial intelligence applications across various sectors.
Shaikh Ahmed underscored the importance of enhancing international cooperation, exchanging expertise, and building capacities. He pointed out that artificial intelligence presents a global opportunity requiring effective international partnerships and common frameworks to promote the responsible and secure use of these technologies, ensuring all countries benefit from the opportunities they offer.
Reaffirming Bahrain's commitment to supporting international efforts, Shaikh Ahmed expressed the Kingdom's dedication to developing balanced artificial intelligence policies and governance. He highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation with the United Nations, the ITU, and international partners in building a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.