OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could become a "regulatory sandbox" for artificial intelligence (AI) on the global stage. During a virtual appearance at the World Governments Summit (WGS), Sam Altman debated the potential for the UAE to act as a testing ground for AI technologies and help shape global regulatory frameworks. He highlighted the difficulty of getting regulatory ideas right in isolation and endorsed a practical, hands-on approach to understanding AI's societal impacts.

Why does it matter?

Sam Altman sees the UAE as a potential leader in AI regulation, capable of serving as a controlled environment for testing and developing AI technologies, which could inform and shape future global regulations. The UAE's commitment to AI innovation and its strategic global position make it a suitable candidate for conducting dialogues on AI governance. The UAE has shown a significant commitment to promoting AI technologies and integrating them into national policy, thereby putting it in a unique position to lead such discussions.

The country has established the UAE AI and Blockchain Council to recommend policies for creating an AI-friendly ecosystem. During the WGS, Altman spoke about developing tools for poorer nations that cannot afford the massive costs of developing their own AI systems, reflecting a commitment to making AI benefits globally accessible.

Altman also mentioned plans to open-source some additional large-language models developed by OpenAI, though specific models have not been decided upon. The UAE's role as a potential AI regulatory sandbox is seen as a way to provide valuable insights into flexible and adaptable mechanisms necessary for AI governance. However, the proposal raises questions about the feasibility of creating a unified global policy framework due to the diversity of legal, cultural, and economic contexts across countries.

While currently there are no specific laws and regulations for AI, Digital Dubai launched an 'Ethical AI Toolkit' to lay out principles for AI systems to be safe, fair, transparent, accountable, and understandable. These guidelines could serve as the foundation for future industry-specific policies in the UAE and elsewhere.

The statements came while Altman was seeking investors in the region for an advanced semiconductor venture to boost AI. The UAE has invested extensively in AI and made it a priority policy, but its links to China have sparked concerns in the US administration.