Gulf Regulators Move Faster Than The West On AI Rulemaking

Central banks in the UAE and Qatar have issued major new AI guidance in the past year, and Bahrain has a proposed AI law moving through its legislature, putting Gulf financial regulators ahead of many Western counterparts on formal AI rulemaking.

Reported by: Crowell & Moring, “The Middle East’s Big Bet on Artificial Intelligence and Data Security”

Norm's Take

Compliance leaders who assume the EU AI Act is the global pacesetter are missing where the puck is going. Firms with Gulf exposure need dedicated regulatory tracking, not a bolt-on to the EU compliance function.

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Analysis and opinion, not investment or legal advice. © 2026 Norm Murray. All Rights Reserved.

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Norm Murray, CEO and Founder of Norm E. Murray
About the author
Norm Murray
AI Leadership Advisor · Psychologist · Economist
Norm advises CEOs, boards and senior leaders on the psychology and economics of AI adoption: what AI does to leaders and organizations, not just what it does. He has led global businesses across multiple continents and writes The Norm Report for executives navigating the AI shift.
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