UAE and World Economic Forum launch Global AI Regulatory platform to keep pace with technological change

In a bold move to modernize how governments respond to emerging technologies, the United Arab Emirates and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have officially launched the Global Regulatory Innovation Platform (GRIP)—a global initiative designed to bridge the growing divide between fast-moving technological advancements and outdated regulatory systems.

A new era of adaptive governance

Announced on Friday in Geneva, GRIP aims to co-develop forward-looking, agile regulatory frameworks by uniting policymakers, industry leaders, and technology experts. As artificial intelligence reshapes sectors from healthcare to beauty and personal care, this platform will equip governments with the tools they need to keep pace.

“Innovation moves fast—regulation must too,” said Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum. “GRIP enables governments to co-create policy frameworks that are agile, anticipatory, and ready for the technologies shaping our future.”

Key deliverables over the next two years

The platform will focus on three main initiatives:

• A Global Regulatory Playbook, offering practical case studies and frameworks for governing innovation.
• A Future Readiness Index, measuring countries' preparedness for emerging technologies like AI.
• A Regulatory Innovation Hub, where new approaches can be tested and scaled in collaboration with industry.

These tools will help regulators around the world keep pace with disruptions in fields including AI-driven diagnostics, personalization, and product development—particularly in fast-evolving industries like beauty and personal care.

UAE at the forefront of AI policy

The launch reflects the UAE’s growing leadership in digital transformation and AI governance. Speaking on the initiative, Maryam Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of State and Secretary General of the Cabinet, emphasized the need for regulatory foresight:

“Sustainable economies thrive only within forward-looking ecosystems. The quality of life in the future depends exponentially on the work done by regulators today.”

The UAE’s proactive AI strategy has already resulted in billions in public sector savings and accelerated adoption across key industries. The country was the first in the world to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and continues to lead globally with initiatives like its national AI strategy, dedicated AI university, and the advisory role of its National Artificial Intelligence System across federal agencies.

A global collaboration for responsible innovation

GRIP is supported by the Boston Consulting Group as a knowledge partner and will draw expertise from global leaders in law, policy, and emerging technologies. The platform seeks to empower legislators worldwide with the tools and insights necessary to create responsible, scalable AI ecosystems.

As artificial intelligence continues to drive innovation across all sectors, GRIP represents a critical step toward closing the policy gap—and ensuring that regulation evolves alongside technology.