Journal of Countries Studies

Journal of Countries Studies

AI governance in financial systems: A PGCC and emerging markets convergence framework for accountability, sovereignty, and operational control

Document Type : Original

Author
Independent researcher, Manama, Bahrain.
Abstract
This study examines artificial intelligence (AI) governance in financial systems through a comparative PGCC and emerging-market perspective. Existing AI-governance frameworks have advanced important principles relating to accountability, transparency, fairness, and responsible AI deployment. However, many remain broad, cross-sectoral, and insufficiently adapted to the operational, prudential, and sovereign realities of regulated financial institutions operating across diverse jurisdictions. The study develops a Governance Convergence Framework designed specifically for AI-enabled financial systems, integrating five governance dimensions: accountability, transparency and traceability, operational controls, compliance and supervisory alignment, and sovereign alignment. The paper further examines how governance requirements differ across Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, particularly in relation to digital-finance supervision, data governance, regulatory modernization, and sovereign digital priorities. The analysis argues that effective AI governance in finance requires institutionally embedded and jurisdiction-sensitive governance structures rather than principle-based governance alone. The study contributes to the literature by linking AI governance with prudential oversight, cross-border regulatory fragmentation, and sovereign governance considerations within PGCC and emerging-market financial systems. The proposed framework provides a conceptual and operational foundation for strengthening accountability, supervisory credibility, and long-term financial-system resilience in increasingly digitalized financial environments.
Keywords
Subjects

موضوع: اقتصاد، مالی، سیاست کلی، سیاست فناوری دولت، مطالعات توسعه‌ای

حوزة موضوعی: کشورهای عضو شورای همکاری خلیج‌فارس

Main Object: Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Governance, technology policy, Development studies

Scope: PGCC: Persian Gulf Cooperation Council

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Volume 5, Issue 2
in English with Persian Abstract
2027
Pages 287-344

  • Receive Date 15 April 2026
  • Revise Date 18 May 2026
  • Accept Date 19 May 2026
  • First Publish Date 29 June 2026
  • Publish Date 23 August 2027