In a groundbreaking decision, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced plans to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in drafting and regulating legislation. This marks a first-of-its-kind initiative internationally.
Last week, UAE ministers approved the creation of a new government body, the Office of Regulatory Intelligence. The system is designed to monitor the impact of laws on the country’s population and economy. It uses an extensive database that integrates federal and local legislation, court rulings, and government service data.
According to Sheikh Mohammed, AI will regularly recommend updates to legislation, speeding up the UAE’s legislative process by an estimated 70 percent. Additionally, the AI could anticipate necessary legal adjustments. This could potentially reduce the substantial expenses governments typically incur for legal reviews by law firms.
However, critics have raised concerns regarding ethical implications and potential risks associated with AI-based legislation. Concerns include the accuracy of AI-generated interpretations and whether these systems can effectively capture the nuances of human legal reasoning.
