Global Future Councils 2025 Emphasise Need For Stronger Cybersecurity Regulatory Frameworks

The UAE Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) hosted the Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025 in Dubai from 14-16 October. Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, Minister of State and Secretary-General of the UAE Cabinet, emphasised that regulation should be seen as a bridge to progress rather than a barrier. This was during a session titled "Regulation: Friend or Foe?"

Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), attended the session. The discussion focused on strategies for governments to adapt regulatory systems to rapid technological changes. Dan Murphy from CNBC moderated the panel, which included experts like Rachel Adams, Prof. Hiroki Habuka, and Jack Hidary.

Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi highlighted that adaptive regulations are crucial for maintaining trust in systems. She stated that the UAE aims for clear and transparent regulations that can adapt to fast-paced technological advancements like AI and quantum computing. "In the UAE, we build flexibility in our legislation system so it can adapt in real time," she noted.

Prof. Hiroki Habuka from Kyoto University pointed out that technology evolves faster than regulations can be drafted. He suggested that regulations should focus on outcomes and principles rather than rigid rules. He added that Japan aims for interoperability rather than imposing uniform regulations globally.

Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi also mentioned efforts to involve various stakeholders in regulation design, including academics, NGOs, businesses, and startups. "We co-design our regulations with all our stakeholders," she said, highlighting collaboration with the World Economic Forum on a Global Regulatory Innovation Platform.

Rachel Adams stressed the importance of fair markets without overburdening small innovators with compliance requirements. She expressed concern about unequal distribution of AI benefits and emphasised global cooperation due to big tech's cross-border operations.

Encouraging Technological Adoption

Jack Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ, remarked on the dangers of not adopting new technologies promptly. He advocated for outcome-focused regulations and praised the UAE’s approach where government workers act as entrepreneurs. "Here, government workers see themselves as entrepreneurs," he noted.

Hidary also recommended incorporating convening power into regulations to facilitate productive technology adoption. He believes this approach is essential for leveraging new technologies effectively rather than viewing regulation merely as control.

The discussions at this event underscored the need for agile regulatory frameworks that can keep pace with technological advancements while ensuring fairness and inclusivity across global markets.

With inputs from WAM