AI regulation in Bahamas: laws & policy (2026)

Legal framework

Data Protection Bill 2025 (pending enactment, includes AI provisions); URCA Draft Annual Plan 2025 (sectoral telecom AI requirements); national AI white paper under development

Key points: artificial intelligence in Bahamas

1. 01Data Protection Bill 2025

   Introduced to Parliament in mid-2025, the bill is designed to repeal and replace outdated data protection law and explicitly covers AI, biometrics, fintech, cloud computing, and digital assets. It is modelled on GDPR principles and was described by the Attorney General as the 'backbone' of the digital economy.

   laws.bahamas.gov.bs oag.gov.bs tribune242.com

2. 02National AI Strategy / White Paper

   The government announced plans to produce a national AI white paper for Cabinet review, aiming to position The Bahamas as the first Caribbean jurisdiction with a comprehensive AI governance framework. The strategy links AI regulation to skills development and a planned National Data Centre.

   bahamas.gov.bs tribune242.com ewnews.com

3. 03URCA Sectoral AI Requirements

   URCA's 2025 Annual Plan identifies AI as a regulatory priority in the electronic communications sector, requiring licensees to notify URCA within 30 days of deploying AI in public networks, and mandating alignment with ethical principles of transparency, fairness, and accountability.

   urcabahamas.bs urcabahamas.bs thenassauguardian.com

4. 04AI Fraud and Criminal Use

   The government has signalled intent to introduce laws specifically targeting AI-generated fraud, including deepfakes and synthetic identity fraud, as part of the broader national AI strategy package.

   ewnews.com

5. 05Regional and International Cooperation

   The Bahamas government has stated an objective to deepen CARICOM-level cooperation on AI governance, seeking shared principles and frameworks with regional neighbours to avoid regulatory fragmentation.

   bahamas.gov.bs cepal.org

6. 06No Comprehensive AI Law in Force

   As of May 2026, The Bahamas has no enacted AI-specific legislation. AI governance relies on the pending Data Protection Bill 2025, URCA's sectoral telecom plan, and anticipated national strategy documents, all still in draft or pre-enactment stage.

   bahamas.gov.bs thenassauguardian.com

Timeline of decisions

1. 8 Oct 2025Law · official
   Data Protection Bill 2025 Tabled in Parliament, AI Governance Embedded in Law

   Prime Minister Philip Davis tabled the Data Protection Bill 2025 in Parliament on 8 October 2025, following a public consultation opened 28 August 2025 by the Office of the Attorney General. The Bill explicitly addresses AI, algorithmic decision-making, biometrics, and cloud computing, requires human oversight of automated decisions, and proposes to repeal the 2003 Act, making it the primary legislative vehicle for AI governance in The Bahamas.

   Office of the Prime Minister, The Bahamas

2. 19 Jun 2025Guidance · official
   Government Announces National AI White Paper and Caribbean-Leader Strategy

   Parliamentary Secretary Wayde Watson announced during the 2025-2026 Budget debate that a national AI white paper is being prepared for Cabinet review, aiming to make The Bahamas a Caribbean first-mover in AI regulation. The government simultaneously confirmed plans for a National Data Centre (converting the former BTC site) and a National Digitisation Office to enable AI-powered fraud-detection and emergency-triage pilots.

   Government of The Bahamas

3. 1 Jan 2025Decision · official
   URCA 2025 Annual Plan Introduces Sector-Specific AI Notification Obligation

   The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority's 2025 Draft Annual Plan designated AI as a formal regulatory priority, requiring all telecoms licensees to notify URCA within 30 days of deploying any AI technology in public communications networks and to comply with data-protection and cybersecurity standards. This was the first binding, sector-specific AI oversight rule in The Bahamas.

   Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA), The Bahamas

4. 1 Jan 2024Guidance · official
   UNESCO Caribbean AI Policy Roadmap Finalised, Regional Governance Framework for Bahamas

   UNESCO finalised the Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Policy Roadmap covering The Bahamas and more than ten regional states, built on four pillars: Culture and Creativity, Governance and Transformation, Upskilling and Education, and Resiliency and Sustainability. As the most relevant regional AI governance framework, it directly informed The Bahamas government's subsequent national strategy development.

   UNESCO

5. 1 Dec 2022Guidance · official
   UNESCO Caribbean AI Policy Roadmap First Edition Published

   UNESCO's Office for the Caribbean published the inaugural edition of the AI Policy Roadmap for the Caribbean, providing member states including The Bahamas with the first structured strategy for harnessing AI benefits while mitigating risks. It served as the regional baseline for AI governance before any national-level AI policies were developed.

   UNESCO

Sources

1. 1.laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/images/LEGISLATION/BILLS/2025/2025-0079/2025-0079.pdf
2. 2.oag.gov.bs/news-press-release/public-consultation-on-the-draft-data-protection-b
3. 3.bahamas.gov.bs/news-press-release/the-bahamas-government-seeking-to-advance-strategi
4. 4.tribune242.com/news/2025/dec/02/ag-new-bill-backbone-for-the-digital-economy/
5. 5.tribune242.com/news/2025/jun/19/policy-on-ai-being-drafted-by-govt/
6. 6.urcabahamas.bs/consultations/urca-08-2024-draft-urca-annual-plan-2025/
7. 7.urcabahamas.bs/urca-published-annual-report-2025-and-annual-plan-2026/
8. 8.ewnews.com/national-ai-strategy-in-the-works-as-government-aims-for-first-mover-
9. 9.ewnews.com/government-to-tackle-ai-generated-fraud-with-new-laws-and-national-st
10. 10.thenassauguardian.com/opinion/regulating-ai-in-the-bahamas-a-hybrid-approach-to-governance/
11. 11.cepal.org/sites/default/files/events/files/pres_1_alexander-caribbean_ai_readin
12. 12.bahamas.gov.bs/news-press-release/government-advances-legislation-to-strengthen-fina