UAE Champions Responsible And Inclusive AI Governance At UN General Assembly Meeting

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reiterated its dedication to fostering responsible and inclusive governance and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). This commitment was highlighted during a significant meeting held alongside the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The gathering aimed to address AI's risks and opportunities through a comprehensive multilateral process.

Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, took part in the High-level Multi-stakeholder Informal Meeting. This meeting marked the launch of the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance under the UN Pact for the Future. It serves as an inclusive platform for discussing AI governance challenges and opportunities.

The UAE was invited to present its AI for Development initiative with Bhutan at this meeting. This initiative exemplifies how AI can safely contribute to economic growth and sustainable development. Dr. Al Zeyoudi, alongside Bhutan's Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, emphasised the importance of diverse perspectives from the Global South in advancing AI governance.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted that collaboration between the UAE and Bhutan has already led to solutions in various sectors. These include public service, rural development, youth employment, agriculture, healthcare, finance, and education. Such partnerships demonstrate AI's potential to drive progress across different fields.

"To unlock this transformative potential of AI, we must create a strong enabling environment that accelerates innovation, alongside guardrails to mitigate the risks. By anchoring advanced infrastructure in trusted ecosystems, we create the conditions for safe, secure, reliable, and transparent access to AI," Dr. Al Zeyoudi said.

The meeting was chaired by Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly. It brought together representatives from governments, experts, private sector entities, and civil society groups to collectively address AI governance issues.

The UAE's commitment to expanding access to AI reflects its belief in inclusive progress. By involving diverse perspectives from around the world, particularly from developing regions like the Global South, it aims to accelerate advancements in AI evolution and governance.

The synergy between UAE and Bhutan's forward-thinking vision has unlocked innovative solutions across multiple sectors. This collaboration showcases how AI can be harnessed effectively for sustainable development goals.

With inputs from WAM