UAE becomes first country to use AI for writing, regulating laws

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced plans to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into the writing and regulation of its laws, marking the first time a country has taken such a step.

The decision came after UAE ministers last week approved the establishment of the Office of Regulatory Intelligence, a newly formed cabinet body tasked with supervising the use of AI in both drafting new laws and reforming existing ones.

Emirati Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative, stating that “this new legislative system, powered by artificial intelligence, will change the way laws are created, making the process faster and more accurate.”

As outlined by state media, the government intends to build an extensive database comprising federal and local legislation, supplemented by public sector data including court rulings and government services. Sheikh Mohammed explained that the AI would “regularly suggest updates to our legislation,” allowing for more dynamic and responsive governance.

Officials project that AI will accelerate the lawmaking process by up to 70 percent, while also reducing reliance on costly legal reviews traditionally carried out by law firms. The technology is expected to forecast necessary legal changes in advance, streamlining the process and enhancing legislative agility.

However, the announcement has sparked a wave of concern among experts and observers. Critics argue that embedding AI into such a crucial sector could present significant challenges, particularly in terms of ethical considerations, accuracy, and the possibility that AI interpretations of law may differ fundamentally from human judgment.