The UAE affirms its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to address the misuse of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in terrorism

The UAE has affirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to confront the misuse of artificial intelligence and new and emerging technologies by terrorist organizations and extremist groups, and to build a safe and reliable cyberspace, in a way that supports international efforts aimed at maintaining global security and stability.

This came during the participation of the UAE delegation, which included the Cybersecurity Council, in the work of the High-Level Counter-Terrorism Conference, held within the activities of the Fourth United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week, which will be held during the period from June 26 to July 2 of this month.

Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Government Cybersecurity Council, delivered a speech during the fourth session, which was held entitled “Strategic Responses to Capacity Building: Addressing the Misuse of Artificial Intelligence and New and Emerging Technologies.”

Al-Kuwaiti said that the rapid developments in artificial intelligence and cyberspace provide governments with advanced tools to monitor threats, protect vital infrastructure, and enhance the security of societies. However, these technologies are also being exploited by terrorist organizations and extremist parties to spread propaganda on a large scale, polarize and radicalize individuals, produce misleading and inflammatory artificial media content, and work across borders in an effort to evade monitoring and detection, which requires strengthening international cooperation to ensure the development and use of these technologies in a safe, responsible and trustworthy manner.

He stressed that maintaining a safe cyberspace requires developing flexible national institutions capable of keeping pace with technological development, pointing out that possessing technology alone is not enough, but rather it should be coupled with building strong institutions, qualified human competencies, secure data subject to effective governance, a flexible cyber structure, and institutional coordination mechanisms that ensure rapid response to changing threats.

He explained that the UAE’s experience has proven that building sustainable capabilities represents the basic foundation for confronting cyber threats, pointing out that investing in national competencies, exchanging operational experiences, establishing technical partnerships, and enhancing national flexibility in the cyber and digital fields are essential elements for building an institutional system capable of adapting to rapid developments and facing the challenges of the future.

Al-Kuwaiti pointed out that cyber threats do not recognize borders, which makes international cooperation an urgent necessity, calling for expanding partnerships between governments, the United Nations, the private sector, and academic institutions, to exchange experiences, support national capacity building, and ensure the employment of artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities in a way that enhances justice and security, and in accordance with the provisions of international law, including the obligations arising under international human rights law.

During the conference, the UAE reviewed its integrated national cybersecurity framework, which supports national readiness to confront cyber threats, protects vital digital infrastructure, and enhances national cyber defense capabilities, through developing institutions, investing in national competencies, consolidating governance principles, and enhancing digital resilience.

At the conclusion of its participation, the UAE affirmed its commitment to continue working with international partners to build a safe, reliable and resilient digital space, and to promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, in a way that contributes to supporting international efforts to combat terrorism and maintain peace, security and stability at the regional and international levels.