The Guiding Manual on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Use in Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
The Guiding Manual on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Use for GCC Member States establishes an ethical framework for artificial intelligence development and deployment across member states. It outlines foundational values such as human dignity, respect for Islamic Sharia, environmental sustainability, and well-being, alongside seven key principles covering human oversight, safety, fairness, privacy, transparency, accountability, and integrity. The manual provides implementation recommendations for each principle, including impact assessments, technical audits, and data protection mechanisms. Developed with reference to UNESCO's 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, it aims to foster trustworthy AI and support regional technological leadership while protecting fundamental rights.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
This manual is for policymakers, public sector bodies, developers, and regulators in GCC member states seeking guidance on ethical AI design and deployment.
What the document contains
The document addresses ethical values, guiding principles, and implementation recommendations for artificial intelligence development and deployment across GCC member states. It covers safeguards for human rights, environmental sustainability, data privacy, safety and reliability testing, transparency, and accountability mechanisms.
The text does not provide binding statutory legislation, specific monetary penalties for non-compliance, detailed technical specifications, or formal licensing procedures for AI deployment.
- The manual serves as a guiding reference for GCC member states to achieve trustworthy and ethical AI that respects Islamic Sharia and national laws.
- AI systems must protect human dignity, freedom, autonomy, and the physical and mental well-being of individuals.
- Core principles require human decision-making oversight, safety measures, harm prevention, fairness, and robust data protection.
- Transparency and explainability are emphasized to avoid black-box decision-making and ensure users are informed when interacting with AI.
- Legal accountability for AI performance must rest on developers and responsible entities rather than on the systems themselves.
· Introduction
· Values and principles
- Values
- Value One: Respecting, protecting, and promoting human dignity, freedom, and autonomy
- Value Two: Respect for Islamic Sharia, the Constitution, and strengthening Gulf unity
- Value Three: Environmental protection and promotion of sustainability
- Value Four: Promoting peaceful use for the well-being of GCC citizens
- Principles
- Principle One: Human decision-making
- Principle Two: Safety and harm prevention
- Principle Three: Justice, fairness, and non-discrimination
- Principle Four: Privacy and data protection
- Principle Five: Transparency, explainability, and interpretability
- Principle Six: Responsibility, accountability, and awareness
- Principle Seven: Integrity and non-falsification
· Use, benefit, and application of this guide
· Promoting AI ethics
· Final provisionsHow it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
4/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
This document recommends enacting legislation that clearly establishes that responsibility for AI system performance lies with identifiable entities that can be held legally accountable.
Principle Six: Responsibility, accountability, and awareness
screening score · 2026-10-23
Fairness
4/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
Principle Three: Justice, fairness, and non-discrimination All stakeholders should be involved throughout the lifecycle of AI systems and empowered in their development.
Principle Three: Justice, fairness, and non-discrimination
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
4/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
Value One: Respecting, protecting, and promoting human dignity, freedom, and autonomy Human dignity is based on the idea that every individual possesses intrinsic value
Value One
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
4/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
This document recommends activating human oversight to ensure that AI systems do not undermine human autonomy or cause other negative effects.
Principle One: Human decision-making
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
4/5Protection of personal data and private life
Principle Four: Privacy and data protection Privacy is closely linked to the principle of harm prevention and is considered a fundamental right that is particularly affected by AI systems.
Principle Four: Privacy and data protection
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
4/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
Principle Five: Transparency, explainability, and interpretability Efforts must be made to enhance the transparency of AI systems and strengthen their explainability throughout their entire lifecycle.
Principle Five: Transparency, explainability, and interpretability
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
4/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
This document recommends enacting legislation that clearly establishes that responsibility for AI system performance lies with identifiable entities that can be held legally accountable.
Principle Six: Responsibility, accountability, and awareness
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
4/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
In cases where such risks are present, a fundamental rights impact assessment should be conducted. This should take place before the system is developed and include an evaluation of the level of harm and risk to all segments of society
Principle One: Human decision-making
screening score · 2026-10-23