The discussions at the inaugural Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit (GETS 2025), held in Abu Dhabi from May 5-6, 2025, prominently featured issues such as ethics in artificial intelligence (AI), international data governance, cybersecurity resilience, and the security measures needed in a post-quantum world.
Under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, the summit was organized by the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) in cooperation with the UAE Public Prosecution.
As a groundbreaking regional event, GETS 2025 attracted around 1,000 participants from over 20 nations, including government officials, legal professionals, technological experts, and young leaders. The primary goal was to establish clear guidelines for the responsible governance of advanced technologies. Among the distinguished guests were the Attorney General of Qatar, the Attorney General of Egypt, and Oman’s Deputy Attorney General.
The two-day summit emphasized the UAE’s influential role in fostering responsible and inclusive technology governance. This sentiment was echoed in a keynote address by Omar Sultan Al Olama, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. He highlighted the UAE’s proactive investments in creating a national AI ecosystem that emphasizes adaptability, accountability, and competitiveness. “With visionary leadership, the UAE identified the critical importance of artificial intelligence and sought to shape its future through decisive actions and responsible governance,” Al Olama remarked. He detailed how the UAE has mobilized its national resources, implemented progressive regulatory frameworks, and initiated pioneering projects to remain at the forefront of rapid technological advancements and enhance global competitiveness. “This summit symbolizes our national dedication to advancing policy discussions and developing a balanced international framework for the governance of advanced technologies,” he concluded.
Al Olama’s call for responsible innovation was complemented by UAE Attorney General Chancellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, who asserted that innovation devoid of ethics is insufficient. “The trajectory of emerging technologies should not only focus on advancement but also on a higher purpose—serving humanity and society,” he emphasized.
The significance of Dr. Al Shamsi’s remarks is underscored by the recent launch of the Global Regulatory Innovation Platform (GRIP) by the UAE government in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) at the WEF 2025 held in Davos, which aims to create human-centered legislation in response to rapid technological changes.
During a dialogue featuring various leaders, Faisal Al Bannai, who advises the UAE President on Strategic Research and Advanced Technology and serves as the Secretary-General of ATRC, reiterated the need for tech companies to assume responsibility for the technologies they develop. “It is not sufficient for them to release technology and leave society to handle the consequences. Continuous collaboration between technology creators and regulators is essential,” he stated.
Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet, further explored the UAE’s forward-looking vision for governance. “Incorporating responsible technology governance into national policy is not merely a transient goal. It is part of a comprehensive strategy to develop agile institutions, pioneering legislation, and resilient societies capable of navigating the complexities of the digital era,” she remarked.
The importance of AI in equipping future generations was highlighted by Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, the UAE Minister of Education. In a panel discussion alongside experts from Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Abundance Studio, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lameen Abdul-Malik, she stressed that fundamental technological shifts, especially in AI, necessitate accelerated initiatives to prepare students and equip them with essential tools for societal advancement. This effort, she noted, also includes establishing ethical frameworks associated with these technologies to maximize their advantages in everyday life. “Integrating AI concepts and tools into educational curricula is a strategic investment in building resilient societies ready for future challenges,” Al Amiri stated, noting ongoing efforts within the UAE education system to embrace AI in line with global educational trends.
Various sector-specific discussions took place, examining the role of AI in fields such as healthcare, civil defense, education, creative industries, and manufacturing. During one session, Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri from the Ministry of Health and Prevention, along with representatives from NMC Healthcare and the Al Dhafra Youth Council, discussed how governance frameworks must evolve in step with AI deployment in healthcare settings to ensure data protection and better patient outcomes. Simultaneously, experts from Honeywell, BP, AIQ, and Coders Launchpad conversed about the significant transformation in industries through smart manufacturing and the necessary measures to ensure responsible and secure technology adoption.
In a dedicated session titled “From Vision to Empowerment: The Roadmap to Justice 2030,” Chancellor Salem Ali Al Zaabi, the Head of Public Prosecution at the UAE Attorney General’s Office, presented the UAE Public Prosecution’s AI Strategy for 2025-2030, which aims to enhance the efficiency of the justice system while adhering to the highest ethical and legal standards.
Insights into governance in the creative sector were shared by speakers representing the National Library and Archives, Byteplus, and Lune Technologies, who discussed the challenges and rights associated with generative AI and digital content ownership.
Throughout the summit, global recommendations were voiced, calling for a comprehensive charter on human-AI engagement that incorporates ethical considerations and equity at the core of innovation. Discussions centered on empowering youth in governance processes and the critical need for national initiatives focused on digital trust and cybersecurity. Notable contributions included insights from Changpeng Zhao (CZ), co-founder of Binance and Giggle Academy, on how regulatory frameworks must adapt to the demands of a decentralized Web3 environment, alongside Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute, who emphasized the dual importance of innovation and resilience in an era impacted by AI and quantum advancements.
GETS 2025 also foregrounded issues related to post-quantum readiness and next-generation encryption, as experts advocated for timely data assessments, upgrades to encryption standards, and alignment with post-quantum criteria. The discussions also highlighted the importance of digital inclusion and linguistic equality in AI, promoting increased investments in local datasets, digital literacy, and accessibility to bridge global barriers. Experts examined the inherent cybersecurity risks linked with emerging technologies, calling for unified efforts among governments, tech innovators, and society to cultivate a more equitable and secure digital future.