The United Arab Emirates has become the first country in the world to employ artificial intelligence to draft, review, and amend federal legislation, replacing much of the traditional parliamentary process with a data-driven, AI-powered system. Approved by the UAE Cabinet on 14 April 2025, the initiative introduces a dedicated Regulatory Intelligence Office to oversee AI-generated laws, integrating federal and local statutes, judicial rulings, and public feedback into a unified “legislative ecosystem”. By automating lawmaking tasks, officials anticipate a 70% reduction in legislative drafting time, along with enhanced accessibility through multi-language support and plain-language drafting. While proponents hail the move as a leap forward in smart governance, critics warn of ethical and accountability risks when machines shape national legal codes.
Background and Rationale
The AI lawmaking initiative is part of the UAE’s broader digital transformation strategy, aiming to modernize public services across sectors and cement the nation’s position as a global technology leader. In April 2025, state media announced that AI would not only draft new legislation but also analyze existing laws and suggest amendments, a capability beyond mere automation and unique on the world stage.
System Architecture and Governance
Regulatory Intelligence Office
A newly established Regulatory Intelligence Office will manage the AI-driven legislative system, ensuring that algorithms have access to comprehensive legal databases—including federal and local laws, judicial precedents, executive procedures, and public records. Cabinet approval secured on 14 April 2025 formalized this office’s mandate to oversee AI outputs, maintain transparency, and coordinate with legal experts for human review where necessary.
AI Workflows
The AI tools leverage advanced natural language processing to draft bills, cross-check for internal inconsistencies, and propose plain-language versions in Arabic, English, and other national languages to enhance public comprehension. Through machine learning, the system can learn from past legislative patterns, compare international best practices, and adapt dynamically to emerging policy needs.
Anticipated Benefits
Accelerated Legislation: Officials project up to a 70% reduction in drafting and review timelines, enabling faster policy responses to economic and social challenges.
Economic Impact: The Gulf state estimates that by 2030 AI-driven governance could boost GDP by 35% and halve government operating costs, reflecting broader gains from AI adoption across sectors.
Enhanced Accessibility: Multi-language, plain-language drafting aims to democratize legal understanding, reducing barriers for citizens, businesses, and foreign investors seeking clarity on regulatory frameworks.
Expert Opinions and Concerns
Omar Sultan al-Olama, the UAE’s Minister for Artificial Intelligence, praised the initiative as “a new paradigm in legislative efficiency,” emphasizing the balance between machine speed and expert oversight. However, commentators caution that delegating lawmaking to algorithms raises questions about accountability, bias, and the erosion of democratic deliberation, warning that “machines shaping legal codes” may conflict with principles of human judgment and transparency.
Global Implications
As the world’s first AI-powered legislature, the UAE’s experiment is likely to influence future governance models internationally, prompting legislatures to explore AI for research, drafting support, and public consultation. Inter-parliamentary bodies and think tanks may soon issue guidelines to ensure ethical AI adoption, balancing innovation with safeguards for human rights, accountability, and the rule of law.