His Excellency Saqr Ghobash, Chairman of the Federal National Council, emphasized the necessity of adopting legislative standards that harmonize with the cross-border nature of artificial intelligence and are capable of addressing the international dynamics and rapid changes associated with it.
He highlighted the crucial need for crafting and endorsing international agreements related to transparency, accountability, ethical and legal foundations for artificial intelligence applications, aiming to mitigate security, military, and social risks while fostering innovation.
In his speech during the opening of the first Legislative Parliamentary Forum organized by the Council in Abu Dhabi, he stated, “The UAE, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has established a national philosophy for engaging with major technological transformations, viewing artificial intelligence and digital changes not as ends in themselves, but as means to enhance human value and well-being.”
He further noted that this led to the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which positions technology as a tool for sustainable development, linking scientific ambition with human and environmental dimensions. This vision is evident in the ‘UAE Stargate’ project, which is the largest AI complex outside the United States and the first globally to operate on clean energy.
“Artificial intelligence has emerged as a formidable force reshaping concepts in politics, economics, governance, and human relations, prompting parliaments to redefine legislative roles in an era where time is measured not by ‘months or years’ but by ‘technology cycles’,” he commented.
Guideline Framework
Jassem Muhammad Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, affirmed that the ministerial committee for digital government and its team specializing in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are currently developing a unified Gulf strategy for artificial intelligence.
He also pointed out many accomplishments achieved, particularly the ethical guidelines for AI use, a framework for supporting AI applications in public services, and a strategy for climate forecasting and disaster management utilizing artificial intelligence.
He pointed out that the Gulf countries have increasingly recognized the significance of artificial intelligence in shaping the new global economy.
Investments by the member states in this sector have reportedly surpassed tens of billions of dollars in recent years, with ambitious plans to expand these investments to hundreds of billions by 2030, reflecting their strategic direction towards building an innovative economy based on advanced technologies.
He remarked, “Artificial intelligence is no longer a mere intellectual luxury or an academic discussion confined to university classrooms; it has become a fundamental component of our daily lives, guiding decisions and influencing economies.”
It is reshaping work patterns, production methods, and communication styles between individuals and communities, opening up vast opportunities in essential sectors like health, education, and services, although these advantages bring substantial challenges that require legislative bodies to bear increased responsibility.
Martin Chungong, Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, stated that legislative practices concerning artificial intelligence have become a top priority on the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s agenda.
He added that discussions on this matter will determine whether AI will enhance democracy and improve lives or evolve into a tool that centralizes power, exacerbates inequalities, and undermines the institutions we serve. He expressed admiration for the leadership and vision demonstrated by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in this regard.
Furthermore, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, over fifty parliaments around the world are taking measures related to artificial intelligence, with some nations adopting comprehensive laws, while at least thirty-three are currently working on drafting new legislation.
Countries are selecting what suits their communities, reflecting their values and aspirations through legislation that is not only principled but also practical, having a tangible impact on the development and use of artificial intelligence.
He stressed the need for increased international and regional collaboration, as artificial intelligence knows no borders and the algorithms that drive search engines, content creation models, and systems making critical decisions flow seamlessly across our nations, necessitating coordinated standards, risk assessment, and fundamental safeguards, all while achieving international alignment without compromising national sovereignty and democratic independence.
During the forum, a package of parliamentary artificial intelligence tools titled “From Idea to Legislation: The Journey of Artificial Intelligence” was launched by the Federal National Council. This comprehensive toolkit aimed at enhancing the efficiency of legislation makes oversight smarter and governance more future-ready, representing a holistic system for a more prepared parliament.
The toolkit comprises three essential pillars: the first is the AI policy of the Federal National Council, covering multiple dimensions from ethical principles and their practical applications to awareness, capacity building, challenge management, and continuous system improvement. The second is a code of ethics for using AI systems, forming a modern legislative framework designed to achieve the highest efficiency and effectiveness in parliamentary support activities to regulate ethical commitments and technical controls surrounding AI use, along with governance and oversight provisions that combine solid institutional character with ambitious forward-looking spirit.
Lastly, the third pillar consists of an AI toolkit for parliamentary research, which serves as an innovative roadmap providing a comprehensive vision for a range of AI tools that can be utilized as support tools in parliamentary research, featuring thirty-nine specialized AI tools serving as a comprehensive scientific reference that reflects the Federal National Council’s commitment to leading in adopting modern technological solutions.
Sessions
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, during a session titled “Legislative-Executive Partnership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – Towards Effective Parliamentary-Governmental Harmony,” stated that the UAE is actively collaborating with all stakeholders for a positive and determined future, aiming to establish the best legislations to address challenges and seize opportunities while discussing the state’s approach to managing technology through opportunity utilization and challenge management.
He affirmed the importance of making legislation faster, more proactive, and capable of keeping pace with these technologies. The UAE integrates artificial intelligence into governmental decision-making processes and has granted advisory membership for AI in the Cabinet, demonstrating that it is not merely responding to changes but is also laying the groundwork for major transformations.
He outlined that the nation has launched the national charter for advancing AI utilization and initiated the first fully integrated smart legislative system for developing laws within the government, also establishing a policy for the National Elections Committee utilizing AI.
The first session discussed “The Legislative Role of Gulf Legislative Councils in Governing Artificial Intelligence: Reality, Challenges, and Future Prospects,” facilitated by Dr. Saif Said Al-Muhairi, Assistant Secretary-General for Legislation and Oversight at the Federal National Council.
Notable contributors included Dr. Ishraq Al-Rifai, Member of the Saudi Shura Council; Walid Al-Mansouri, Member of the Federal National Council; Dr. Ahmed Al-Sadadi, Member of the Omani Shura Council; Sadiq Eid Al-Rahma, Member of the Bahraini Shura Council; and Mohammed Ibrahim Sheikh, Director of the Legislative Department at the Qatari Shura Council.