Source URL: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2025/05/ai-generated-law.html
Source: Schneier on Security
Title: AI-Generated Law
Feedly Summary: On April 14, Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced that the United Arab Emirates would begin using artificial intelligence to help write its laws. A new Regulatory Intelligence Office would use the technology to “regularly suggest updates” to the law and “accelerate the issuance of legislation by up to 70%.” AI would create a “comprehensive legislative plan” spanning local and federal law and would be connected to public administration, the courts, and global policy trends.
The plan was widely greeted with astonishment. This sort of AI legislating would be a global “…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
**Summary:** The text discusses the introduction of AI in legislative processes by the UAE, highlighting both the potential benefits and risks. It addresses concerns regarding the application of AI in lawmaking, including the possibility of power concentration and the complexity of laws generated. The article emphasizes the need for AI to empower public participation in governance instead of merely serving the interests of the powerful.
**Detailed Description:** The announcement by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the UAE’s initiative to integrate AI into lawmaking raises substantial implications for governance, both in terms of opportunities and challenges. Here are some significant points discussed in the text:
– **AI in Lawmaking:**
– The UAE plans to use AI to draft laws and suggest updates, aspiring to expedite legislation by up to 70%.
– This initiative is part of a broader $3 billion investment to become an “AI-native” government by 2027.
– **Emerging Global Trend:**
– While the UAE’s initiative has received global attention, it is not the first instance of AI being used in legislative processes. Examples include:
– The state of Ohio’s use of AI for revising administrative laws in 2020, resulting in the removal of 2.2 million words of unnecessary regulations.
– Local laws passed in Porto Alegre, Brazil, indicating a trend of legislators utilizing AI tools for drafting and legislative assistance.
– **Complexity and Speed:**
– One of the appeals of AI in this context is its ability to draft complex laws that can be finely tailored to various scenarios.
– However, the text argues that legislative bottlenecks often lie in human debate and agreement rather than the drafting speed.
– **Risks and Concerns:**
– There are significant risks in using AI for lawmaking, particularly regarding the potential for exacerbating power imbalances and enabling authoritarian practices.
– The complexity of AI-generated laws may facilitate the creation of “microlegislation,” which could embed loopholes favorable to powerful interests that are not easily identifiable.
– **Public Engagement:**
– For AI to genuinely add value to governance, it needs to enable public participation and enhance deliberative democracy.
– The potential for Emirati residents to have interactive AI platforms for legislative input is highlighted as a crucial aspect for accountability and inclusivity.
The discourse presented reflects a pivotal moment in the intersection of technology and governance, calling for careful oversight and active public participation to harness AI responsibly for democratic ends. The implications for security and compliance concerns—especially regarding data privacy and the ethical use of AI—should be of utmost consideration for professionals in related fields.