The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has positioned itself as a leader in artificial intelligence strategy and governance in the Gulf region. Since becoming the first country to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence in 2017, the UAE has made significant strides in developing its AI capabilities and regulatory framework.
In 2017, the UAE launched a comprehensive national AI strategy aligned with its UAE Centennial 2071 vision. The strategy outlines eight objectives, including establishing the UAE as an AI destination and integrating AI across government services. To support this vision, the UAE Cabinet formed the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence to oversee AI integration in government and education. The Ministry of AI leads various initiatives, including public awareness campaigns and training programmes.
Dubai introduced AI Principles and Guidelines in 2019, accompanied by an Ethical AI Self-Assessment Tool for developers and organisations. These guidelines emphasise fairness, transparency, accountability, and explainability in AI systems. On the data protection front, the UAE adopted its first comprehensive Personal Data Protection Law in 2021, modelled after the EU's GDPR. The law establishes data subject rights and addresses automated decision-making, though with some notable divergences from European standards.
Despite these advancements, the UAE faces scrutiny over its use of AI technologies. Human rights organisations have raised alarms over the deployment of advanced AI-powered surveillance systems like "Oyoon" in Dubai, citing potential privacy violations. While the UAE has endorsed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it has not ratified key international human rights covenants. Freedom House rates the country as "Not Free" due to limitations on political rights and civil liberties. The rapid adoption of facial recognition technology in various sectors, from airports to retail, has also prompted questions about data protection and consent.
On the international stage, the UAE has shown willingness to engage with global AI governance efforts. As a UNESCO member state, the UAE endorsed the UNESCO Recommendations on the Ethics of AI in 2021. While not an OECD member, the UAE's national AI strategy aligns with several OECD AI Principles. The country also participated in the 2023 AI Safety Summit and endorsed the Bletchley Declaration, committing to international cooperation on AI safety.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/