Current position
The Middle East generally does not yet have a single, unified artificial intelligence statute across most jurisdictions.
Instead, AI governance is addressed through a mix of national strategies, sectoral regulations, and existing legal frameworks such as data protection and cybersecurity laws.
For example, in the United Arab Emirates, AI-related activities may fall under the UAE Personal Data Protection Law, while national policy direction is guided by initiatives such as the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the establishment of the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office.
Similarly, in Saudi Arabia, AI governance is supported through policy frameworks led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, including the National Strategy for Data and AI and the AI Ethics Principles, alongside data protection legislation such as the Personal Data Protection Law.
Other jurisdictions in the region are similarly developing AI governance through policy initiatives and digital economy strategies rather than dedicated AI statutes.
As a result, AI regulation in the Middle East currently relies largely on existing legal frameworks and national policy programs rather than comprehensive AI-specific legislation.