The UAE Media Council has officially banned the use of artificial intelligence to depict public figures or national symbols without prior approval.
The regulation aims to curb misinformation, defamation, and misuse of AI that could harm societal values and public trust.
The Council warned that using generative AI or similar technologies to spread misinformation, promote hate speech, or undermine the dignity of individuals constitutes a media violation.
Such offenses are subject to penalties under the Media Violations Regulation, including fines and administrative actions.
Content creators, social media users, and media organizations are urged to adhere strictly to the law and uphold professional and ethical standards when using AI technologies.
Recent controversy sparks action
The announcement follows criticism of a social media post where a user shared an AI-generated image of themselves with Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father. Many considered the depiction “distasteful” and “unnecessary,” prompting authorities to reaffirm rules on respectful use of national symbols.
The UAE maintains strict media regulations under Article 1(17) of the Federal Decree Concerning Media Regulation, which requires media to respect the nation’s symbols, cultural heritage, and identity. Similarly, the UAE Charter for Responsible and Ethical Use of AI, issued in June 2024, emphasizes ethical and responsible application of AI technologies.
AI-powered media regulation
Earlier this year, the UAE Media Council partnered with Presight, a global AI and big data company, to develop a regulatory platform. The AI-enabled system will analyze and validate media content to ensure compliance with UAE laws and ethical standards.
The platform is designed to aggregate datasets from multiple agencies, allowing real-time searching, filtering, and collaboration to support data-driven decision-making, reinforcing responsible media practices across the country.
