“The international community bears a collective responsibility to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are directed toward creativity, innovation, and development, rather than becoming tools that threaten security and stability.” This was the key message emphasized by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, during his recent participation—via video conference—in a working meeting titled “Artificial Intelligence and Security.” The meeting was convened at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by various heads of state and government, alongside technology sector officials, representatives, and AI experts. Notably, His Royal Highness underscored the importance of strengthening international partnerships to harness the opportunities presented by modern technologies. He also called for the establishment of a unified international framework for the regulation, governance, and development of AI—one that strikes a balance between fostering innovation and mitigating associated risks, while embedding the principles of responsibility, transparency, and safe usage.
His Royal Highness’s call is of profound significance, both in its substance and its timing. No nation today can afford to remain outside the ecosystem of AI development, which is exerting an ever-growing influence on daily life, as well as on sectors such as security, the economy, healthcare, and education. Yet, while technology offers vast opportunities, it simultaneously brings with it a range of challenges. The security and military developments witnessed in the region during 2026 have provided clear examples of the dangers inherent in employing modern technologies within conflicts. The targeting of vital infrastructure and residential buildings—resulting in significant human and material losses—underscores the urgent need for global cooperation to address threats arising from the irresponsible use of technology, which often complicates conflicts and prolongs their duration across various parts of the world.
In this context, the 2026 Global Risks Report, issued by the World Economic Forum, highlighted mounting concerns regarding the negative consequences of artificial intelligence. It shifted from the 30th position among risks anticipated over a two-year horizon to the 5th position over a ten-year horizon, reflecting growing international anxiety about the long-term repercussions of these technologies.
While the world has not remained idle in the face of these risks—notably with the UN Security Council convening a session on September 23, 2026, to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on international peace and security—the issue remains complex. The Council has addressed various dimensions of this challenge, including the dangers of irresponsible technological use and potential strategies for mitigation. Nevertheless, nations remain divided on the nature of the international frameworks required to regulate artificial intelligence, as well as the extent of the role the Security Council should play. This is further complicated by the fact that the issue intersects with international security, national sovereignty, economic interests, and the technological rivalry between major powers. Consequently, reaching an international consensus on mechanisms for governance, oversight, and accountability remains a major challenge for the global community.
In my view, the risks posed by these technologies—notwithstanding their significance and the opportunities they offer—demand an level of international attention equal to that given to traditional security issues, such as nuclear proliferation. This is because they can inflict catastrophic damage at a lower cost, while the ease of access to certain applications raises concerns about their potential misuse by armed groups and non-state actors. These risks extend beyond military applications to include cyberattacks, the targeting of critical infrastructure, and the dissemination of disinformation, as well as their potential use in developing new methods to undermine security and stability. This underscores the importance of establishing clear accountability frameworks for harm resulting from the illicit use of these technologies, and ensuring that their deployment aligns with the provisions of international humanitarian law and other relevant international legal standards.
Despite varying perspectives on international cooperation in this field, nations worldwide have accorded this issue great importance by formulating strategies, establishing institutions, and enhancing human capital to harness these technologies across all sectors. In this context, the Kingdom of Bahrain has undertaken significant initiatives, most notably two key steps. The first involves elevating the status of cybersecurity within the national security framework; this is exemplified by Royal Order No. (30) of 2024, which transferred the National Cybersecurity Center to the Supreme Defense Council—a move that reflects the critical importance of this domain in safeguarding national interests and digital infrastructure. Secondly, Royal Order No. (23) of 2022, which established the Military Establishment for the Development of Defense Manufacturing within the Bahrain Defence Force, outlines objectives related to the establishment and organization of defense manufacturing activities. This encompasses the design, development, and modification of defense and security systems through the application of modern technology.
In parallel, the Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to playing a significant role within regional and international organizations to foster awareness and global cooperation in this field. Regionally, cooperation in the areas of financial technology (fintech), innovation, and digital transformation was among the key topics addressed in the “Bahrain Declaration”—issued during the 33rd Arab League Summit, hosted by the Kingdom on May 16, 2024. The Declaration calls for the advancement of Arab cooperation in these sectors to create an environment conducive to the development of innovative financial products and services powered by modern technology. Internationally, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s upcoming tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term is of particular importance. It will enable the Kingdom to contribute to international deliberations on emerging security issues—such as cybersecurity, the fight against cybercrime, and the protection of critical infrastructure—while strengthening global cooperation to address both traditional and nascent threats to international peace and security.

In conclusion, the call by His Highness the Crown Prince serves as a catalyst for increasing international attention toward regulating the use of these technologies before it is too late. The world has no choice but to work toward establishing a binding and effective international framework to govern the use of artificial intelligence—ideally under the auspices of the United Nations—much like existing international agreements that have set common rules for cross-border domains, most notably the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The negotiations for that convention spanned nine years, from 1973 until its adoption in 1982; this underscores the fact that building international consensus requires time, effort, and negotiations that account for the diverse interests and varying capabilities of different nations. Such is the reality of international relations: states that possess a comparative advantage in a particular field naturally seek to preserve it, and they may harbor reservations toward any international efforts that could curtail their supremacy—especially given that modern technologies have become a key pillar of power and influence within the international system.

In my view, further discussions and conferences—particularly within regional and international organizations—could help forge an international consensus that advocates for regulating the use of these technologies and directing them toward development goals, rather than employing them in ways that undermine security and stability or fuel conflicts and wars. Furthermore, it is essential not to limit our focus solely to the risks posed by nuclear and chemical weapons; rather, the discussion must be broadened to encompass modern technologies that could contribute to the development of weapons delivery systems and enhance their capabilities—thereby creating additional challenges for defense and interception systems. Consequently, establishing a balanced international framework—one that fosters innovation while ensuring responsible use, and promotes transparency, accountability, and cooperation among nations—is no longer a mere political or technological luxury. Instead, it has become a necessity for safeguarding international peace and security, and for ensuring that the fruits of scientific progress are directed toward the service and development of humanity.

Note: This article has been automatically translated, the full article is available in Arabic.

Dr. Ashraf Mohammed Keshk, Director of International and Strategic Studies Program