AI in the Spotlight: Dubai classifies the future of human-machine workflows

On 16 July 2025, the Dubai Government announced the development by the Dubai Future Foundation of Human-Machine Collaboration icons (HMC) which are intended to become a universal, icon-based system that discloses any level of collaboration between humans and machines. The Dubai Government is among the first to devise and implement a mandatory “traffic light system” for the use of AI.

The objective of the HMC icons

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, the legal and ethical need for transparency has become imperative.  The HMC icons are designed for institutions to disclose the degree of machine participation in the development of research, publications, and other forms of content. By doing so, the HMC icons aim to foster accountability, safeguard the integrity of authorship, and empower readers and observers with context about the content they are viewing.

Who does it apply to? 

According to the Dubai Future Foundation, the HMC icons are intended to apply on a mandatory basis to all Dubai Government entities and those working with the Dubai Government. It remains somewhat unclear whether all entities providing services to the Dubai Government are required to use the HMC icons. However, this requirement is likely to apply to those involved in research or content production for or on behalf of the Dubai Government. Dubai Government entities have been directed to start the adoption of the system in their research and knowledge-based efforts. 

For other Dubai-based entities, the HMC icons are not mandatory but may be adopted on a voluntary basis. The Dubai Future Foundation has encouraged anyone involved in content creation such as researchers, writers, designers, or consultants to use them to encourage transparency. 

How does it work? 

The HMC system consist of five primary icons which should be placed on the cover, footnotes, or in the disclaimer section of the publication.  

The Dubai Future Foundation has also introduced nine functional icons that further specify how the AI was deployed. These functional icons are set out below:

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Creators are required to select both an HMC icon and a corresponding functional icon that accurately represents the stage or process in which AI was involved.

Why does it matter?

The HMC icon framework marks an important step toward standardising transparency in AI-generated content. By introducing a clear, structured visual system, Dubai is encouraging the disclosure, attribution, accountability and responsible use of AI. This initiative not only builds public trust in human-machine collaboration but also sets the tone for ethical innovation. 

This approach sets a precedent for global standards, encouraging responsible innovation while safeguarding the integrity of human and machine collaboration. 

For more information on how this new HMC icon system may affect your institution, please contact Anna Caruso in the Abu Dhabi office, or Joycia Young, who leads the firm’s Intellectual Property, Technology, and Commercial practice in the UAE.