DUBAI, 25 April — In an innovative move that could reshape the way laws are created and reviewed, the United Arab Emirates has become the first country in the world to incorporate artificial intelligence into its legislative process.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize not only federal and local legislation but also judicial rulings, executive procedures, and public services. It’s a significant step as part of the UAE’s broader push to digitally transform the country, according to reports by The Telegraph.
As part of this effort, the UAE government recently launched the Regulatory Intelligence Office, a new cabinet unit tasked with overseeing this transformation. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Vice-President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, emphasized the importance of this new AI-driven legislative system. “This will change how we create laws, making the process faster, more precise, and efficient,” he said.
The UAE’s commitment to AI innovation is nothing new. Back in 2017, it appointed Omar Sultan al-Olama as the world’s first Minister of AI, signaling its intent to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. The country has consistently pursued ambitious digital goals, aiming to be a key hub in both the AI and global economy sectors.
Political commentator Abdulkhaleq Abdulla highlighted that the UAE’s strategy is about long-term vision. “The country is investing heavily in digital infrastructure, much like it did in physical infrastructure over the past 50 years,” he noted. The UAE anticipates that by 2030, AI could boost its economy significantly, estimating a potential GDP increase of 35 percent and a reduction in government costs by 50 percent.
For Hesham Elrafei, a solicitor and UAE law drafter, the new AI-powered system represents more than just a tool for drafting laws. “This is a new way of creating laws — one that’s faster, clearer, and more focused on solving real-world problems,” he explained. AI will not only help draft laws but also analyze past court decisions, pinpoint gaps in legal frameworks, and suggest solutions based on global best practices.
The impact of this initiative is even more profound in a diverse country like the UAE, where over 90% of the population is foreign-born and legal communication must be clear across multiple languages. AI can help ensure that laws are accessible and effective for people from various cultural backgrounds.
Although other countries like Brazil have experimented with AI in lawmaking on a smaller scale, the UAE’s initiative is far more comprehensive. Elrafei called it a departure from outdated legislative systems based on political compromises. Instead, it focuses on a streamlined, data-driven process aimed at achieving practical outcomes.
For some experts, this shift raises questions about the reliance on AI. Oxford University researcher Vincent Straub cautioned that while AI holds great promise, it’s not without risks. “AI systems still have reliability issues and can sometimes make mistakes,” he warned.
However, experts like Keegan McBride, a lecturer at the Oxford Internet Institute, pointed out that the UAE’s governance system allows for rapid experimentation with new ideas. “They can move quickly and experiment with these technologies in ways that many democratic nations cannot,” he noted.
With this ambitious move, the UAE is not just embracing the future of technology; it’s setting a new global standard for how laws could be made in the digital age. The question now is whether other nations will follow suit or hesitate to adopt such a bold approach.
