US-Saudi AI Deal and the Dangers of AI Surveillance in Saudi Arabia

This month, President Trump announced a deal with Saudi Arabia that would provide the country with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips. The deal sees industry leader Nvidia provide Humain, a sovereign wealth fund-owned AI startup, with 18,000 of its new GB300 Blackwell chips. The massive deal makes Saudi Arabia a potential leader in AI data[…]

Post-Release Restrictions: Systematic Violations Against Bahraini Activists

Despite the release of several activists and human rights defenders, transitional justice in Bahrain remains unfulfilled. In its newly published report, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) reveals a systematic policy by Bahraini authorities designed to restrict the freedoms of released individuals and deprive them of their basic rights. The attached report[…]

The Rise of AI Surveillance in the UAE: Implications for Human Rights

Introduction The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rapidly positioned itself as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI), integrating advanced technologies across various sectors to drive economic growth and enhance governance. Central to this strategy is the deployment of AI-driven surveillance systems aimed at increasing national security and public safety. However, the extensive use of such[…]

AI Regulation in Saudi Arabia: Innovation over Human Rights

With the global rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), countries have increasingly adopted regulations to restrict the use of this new technology, exemplified by the AI Act in the European Union. In contrast, Gulf governments have taken a more business-friendly approach to AI regulation, raising concerns about potential breaches of their populations’ privacy rights. Notably, Saudi[…]

HRC37 Intervention on Cybersurveillance and Cyber Attacks on Bahraini and Emirati Activists

On Tuesday 6 March, at the 37th session of the Human Rights Council, ADHRB’s legal fellow, Bridget Quitter delivered an intervention during the Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteurs on privacy and sale of children. In her intervention, she raised the Bahraini and Emirati government’s use of cyber technology to spy on their citizens,[…]