AI regulation in Bahamas (2026)

Introduced to Parliament in mid-2025, the bill is designed to repeal and replace outdated data protection law and explicitly covers AI, biometrics, fintech, cloud computing, and digital assets.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.