UAE (The United Arab Emirates) is set to become the first country in the world to use artificial intelligence (AI) to write new laws and review existing ones. Experts are calling this a revolutionary move from the Gulf nation, which has already invested billions in advanced technology.
AI-Powered Regulation: A Global First
UAE’s official news sources have described this initiative as “AI-powered regulation.” According to experts, no other country has used AI in lawmaking as deeply as the UAE plans to. However, specific details about how the system will work are yet to be shared.
What Makes UAE’s Plan Different?
While other countries use AI for basic tasks like summarizing bills or improving public services, the UAE is aiming higher. It will let AI analyze legal and government data and help create or change laws directly — something no other country has done so far.
Faster and Smarter Legal System
Dubai’s ruler and UAE’s Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “This new AI-based system will speed up how we create laws and make it more accurate.” He believes it will transform how laws are written in the country.
New AI Office to Oversee the Process
The UAE Cabinet recently approved the creation of a new unit called the “Regulatory Intelligence Office.” This team will monitor and manage the AI-driven lawmaking process, ensuring everything works smoothly.
AI as a Co-Lawmaker: A Brave Move
Ronny Medaglia, a professor at Copenhagen Business School, said, “UAE’s goal to use AI as a co-legislator is bold and ambitious.” It shows the country’s strong belief in using AI not just as a tool, but as a partner in shaping national laws.
Heavy Investment in AI and Partnerships
Abu Dhabi has made massive investments in AI. Last year, the UAE launched an investment fund called MGX and partnered with BlackRock’s $30 billion AI infrastructure fund. MGX even added an AI supervisor to its board.
Tracking Law Impacts Through AI
The UAE is building a large database to track how laws affect people and the economy using AI. This will include data from federal and local laws, court decisions, and government services, making the system more data-driven and insightful.
AI to Make Lawmaking 70% Faster
The government expects AI to speed up the lawmaking process by 70%. But experts have also raised concerns. AI systems can sometimes generate false or confusing outputs — a problem known as “hallucination” — making them unreliable in certain cases.
Trust Issues with AI in Legal Systems
Vincent Straub from Oxford University told the Financial Times, “We can’t fully trust AI. It may lack the strength and reliability needed for legal decisions.” Still, he believes the UAE’s approach is innovative and could even predict legal changes before they’re needed.
Saving Costs on Legal Consultations
The system could also reduce the need for expensive legal consultations by helping the government identify changes more efficiently. This could save time and money, especially on legal advice usually outsourced to law firms.
A Government That Can Move Fast
Keegan McBride from Oxford Internet Institute said, “It’s easier for an authoritarian government like the UAE to adopt AI quickly. They can test and make decisions faster than democracies.” He also noted that he hasn’t seen any other government attempt AI-based lawmaking at this level.
Key AI Details Still Unknown
The UAE government has not yet announced which AI models will be used. Experts suggest using a mix of different models for best results. They also stress the importance of strong human supervision to avoid errors or strange outputs that make sense only to machines.
Human Oversight Is a Must
Marina De Vos from the University of Bath warned, “Without proper human checks, AI might come up with complex legal proposals that don’t work in the real world. We need clear limits and monitoring.” This makes it crucial to keep AI under human control.
