Bahrain Polytechnic launched the academy in collaboration with Tamkeen and Microsoft in 2018. It followed directives from Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The academy, first of its kind in the region and the Middle East, aims to provide an integrated specialised programme based on enhancing innovation and creativity in the field of AI.

Bahrain Polytechnic’s deputy chief executive of resources and information affairs, and chair of the Artificial Intelligence Academy Committee, Shaikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa said the participants were selected based on project idea, knowledge, academic qualifications, experience, and personal skills.

INITIATIVE

“The Artificial Intelligence Academy aims to support Bahrain’s initiatives related to AI, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad, which called to strengthen Bahrain’s role as a country that supports the implementation of sustainable development goals in the scientific field,” said Shaikh Ali.

He said the students will “acquire international professional certifications from Microsoft that qualify them to innovate and serve the community using the latest available tools and technologies, and meet the needs of the labour market in line with the Bahrain Vision 2030.

“They will also be able to contribute to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which will provide the graduates the opportunity to be employed in global companies, and open new horizons for companies or startups,” he said.

Tamkeen chief executive Dr Ebrahim Janahi said the academy will allow Bahraini youth to benefit from artificial intelligence techniques by linking knowledge with practical application and the needs of the labour market.

“This, in turn, enhances their opportunities to provide diversity and innovation that contributes to strengthening Bahrain’s position as a pioneer in ICT in the region,” he said.