An analysis of Dubai’s new Human-Machine Collaboration Classification System

Applicability of Classification System

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has directed all Dubai government entities to start adopting the new classification system for their research and knowledge-based outputs.²

The classification framework was developed by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), whose website states that that the new icons are mandatory “for all Dubai Government entities or those working with the Dubai Government.³ Other entities are also permitted to use the icons on a voluntary basis.

The Classification System

The new system comprises two categories of icons:

1. Primary icons: a user (such as a researcher, designer or writer) first chooses a primary icon to reflect the overall level of human-machine collaboration. The categories include “All Human” (no machine involvement), “Human led” (human-written, machine checked or enhanced), “Machine assisted” (collaborative co-creation), “Machine led” (machine-generated, human reviewed) and “All Machine” (no human input).
2. Secondary icons: the user then selects a secondary icon to represent content-creation stages where human-machine collaboration has occurred. This includes stages such as ideation, literature review, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, writing, translation, visuals, and design.

The icons are designed to be flexible and to be usable for research, content and publications in any industry, field or context. The framework does not intend to allocate exact percentages to the contribution of the machine (due to the difficulty in assessing and apportioning this objectively, and standardising this across different research and publication functions).⁴

Scope of the Framework

The classification framework applies broadly to all intellectual and creative outputs, “including but not limited to academic papers, research articles and reports, data visualisations, books, articles, visual content, art, educational materials and technical documentation.”⁵

Notably, the classification system refers to “machines” rather than “artificial intelligence.” According to DFF’s White Paper, by framing its visual tools through the lens of “human-machine” collaboration, DFF intends to consider the increasing role of automation and robots in global economies, allowing for future possibilities.⁶

Next steps

It can be expected that decree-laws and regulatory guidance will be issued in due course to provide further clarity and detail around the new classification icons and implementation procedures for entities required to use them. It remains to be seen whether any sanctions will be imposed on individuals or entities who fail to make disclosures (or honest disclosures) of AI usage, in accordance with these new standards.

The global context

The new icons are aligned with the UAE’s vision to position itself as a leading global player in the field of AI and are consistent with the UAE’s existing AI public policies and guidelines. For example, the UAE’s 2024 Charter for the Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence lists “enhancing transparency and accountability” in AI usage and “ensuring the use of AI in an ethical and responsible manner” as two of the UAE government’s key policy objectives.⁷  Principle 3.3.1 of the UAE AI Ethics Principles and Guidelines goes on further to provide for “making AI systems transparent”, by requiring “responsible disclosures … in a timely manner.”⁸

Whilst the new icons are currently only mandated for Dubai Government entities or those working with the Dubai Government, when announcing the classification system, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum called for global adoption of the system. He invited its adoption by “anyone” involved in creating content around the world, including researchers, writers, designers or consultants.

In terms of the icons’ place within global AI governance programs, the icons may also assist in other jurisdictions with obligations around promoting awareness of AI. For organisations subject to the EU AI Act, the icons may provide a useful tool for complying with their AI literacy obligation. The AI literacy obligations apply to any provision or use of AI systems within the geographic scope of the AI Act, and build in a requirement to raise awareness of AI use among affected persons.⁹  Some regimes globally include specific requirements for machine and / or human readable labels, such as AI labelling and disclosure laws in China and California, and the AI Act’s transparency rules under Article 50. Where these laws apply, organisations will require other tools to meet their obligations but may still find a place for the icons alongside these.

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