Regulatory Frameworks of AI, Big Data, and Emerging Technology in the Gulf States

Workshop Concept

This workshop will emphasize the importance of balancing the generation and dissemination of information through new technologies with the needs of government and the rights of individuals, in a global context. The workshop aims to foster discussions and debates among professionals and scholars from the GCC states and globally on the role of AI and emerging technologies in developing regulatory frameworks for driving innovation, and advancing economic plans. It seeks to raise awareness about AI and related advancements, such as blockchain, fintech, cloud data, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, and privacy within the Gulf region. The GCC states have significantly advanced their use of AI and technology in recent decades, and there is an opportunity to implement the necessary regulations and policies for the tech industry that creates a new era in the GCC. The workshop will thoroughly examine the current status of GCC policies regarding AI and emerging technology, focusing on their potential transformative impact on society, the economy, the creative and circular economy, and environmental sustainability.

The workshop encourages innovation through addressing contemporary challenges in AI development and contributing to a creative economy through key areas of technology, innovation, economic development, intellectual property law, Islamic law, ethics, sustainability, and education.

The workshop will create new connections and resources to spearhead new developments in this area. It is hoped that the research papers discussed in the workshop will generate platforms for groundbreaking research on regulatory frameworks of AI, data, and emerging technology in the Gulf States and can play on the development of knowledge-based societies in a global context.

The themes consider the novel areas of religion and cultural norms and opportunities to create new areas of AI law that are inclusive, ethical, sustainable, and apply to both in the GCC and globally. Additionally, the workshop will study the development of laws and regulations addressing the implications of AI, data, technology, autonomous vehicles, sciences, ChatGPT, NFTs, digital assets, machine learning, gaming, entertainment industries, sports, and finance. Paper presenters are also expected to explore the inclusion of innovation and knowledge society advancements in free trade agreements, international investment agreements, international arbitration, and investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms.

Under this workshop, we welcome paper presenter discussing the following topics:

• AI developments, focusing on the creation of a digital societies, innovation, and the role of emerging technologies in a global context.
• The current status of GCC laws and policies related to AI, society, the economy, the creative industry, and environmental sustainability.
• The current status of regulatory frameworks that could influence AI, data technologies, autonomous vehicles, sciences, digital assets, machine learning, gaming, digital learning and finance in the GCC.
• The potential inclusion of innovation and knowledge society initiatives in free trade agreements, international investment agreements, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Contemporary issues and concerns related to big data and innovation such as entertainment industries, sports, the metaverse and cryptocurrencies.
• Awareness raising of AI and the advancement of technologies such as blockchain, fintech, cloud data, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, and privacy within the Gulf region and globally.
• The balance between information dissemination through new technologies and the preservation of privacy rights, with a focus on societal and individual obligations.
• Developments in intellectual property law in the GCC.
• AI and Climate Change mitigation, with a focus on UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• The relevance of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and climate change initiatives in the context of AI, big data, and emerging technologies.
• Gulf AI developments as a domestic and export industry, including new principles for investment, risk, and reward.
• The development, management, and utilization of AI and emerging technologies in the GCC for the benefit of member states.
• The growth of big data in the GCC, Muslim countries, and the Global North.
• Legal protection of Gulf digital knowledge and cultural heritage systems, considering their inclusion in international trade agreements.