Detailed overview
The United Arab Emirates does not currently have one comprehensive horizontal AI Act equivalent to the EU AI Act. Its AI framework is based on national AI strategy, official AI ethics resources, digital-government policy, data-protection rules, cybersecurity, sectoral regulation and existing civil or criminal law.
National AI Strategy 2031
The UAE's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 sets the country's policy direction for AI. It aims to position the UAE as a global AI leader, integrate AI into priority sectors and government services, build AI talent and support AI infrastructure and adoption. The strategy is a national policy framework, not a general AI licence or an EU-style high-risk AI statute.
Ethics guidance
The UAE Government also publishes official AI resources, including AI ethics guidance and materials on deepfakes and responsible AI use. These resources support transparency, accountability, responsible deployment, risk awareness and ethical use of AI, especially in government and digital services.
Dubai has also issued AI ethics guidance through Digital Dubai. These materials provide practical principles for organisations designing, procuring or using AI systems, including fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy, security, human oversight and responsible innovation.
Existing-law overlays
AI systems in the UAE may be regulated under existing legal regimes. AI that processes personal data may trigger data-protection obligations. AI used in finance, healthcare, transport, government services, telecoms, advertising, online platforms, cybersecurity or consumer services may be subject to sector-specific rules. AI-generated impersonation, fraud, unlawful content, cyber abuse or misuse of personal data may also trigger civil, administrative or criminal liability.
Penalties
The UAE does not currently have one AI-specific penalty table applicable to all AI systems. Penalties depend on the underlying law breached, such as data protection, cybersecurity, cybercrime, consumer protection, financial regulation, healthcare regulation, media regulation or sector-specific licensing law.