The United Arab Emirates has welcomed the appointment of Dr Tuqa Al Hanai, Assistant Professor of Computer Engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi, as a member of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence recently established by the United Nations General Assembly.
Dr Al Hanai is an engineer, scientist and researcher specialising in human interaction with intelligent technologies. Her research contributions have received national and international recognition, including the “Innovators Under 35 – MENA” award by MIT Technology Review Arabia.
As one of the representatives of the Arab region, Dr Al Hanai joins a distinguished group of 40 experts appointed to the panel. The body is tasked with producing independent, multidisciplinary scientific assessments to enrich international discussions on the opportunities, risks and impacts of artificial intelligence.
The panel was created within the framework of the 2024 Summit of the Future convened by the United Nations General Assembly. It builds upon the Global Digital Compact, adopted as an annex to the Pact for the Future, with the aim of ensuring that global deliberations on artificial intelligence are grounded in the best available scientific evidence.
The committee will provide technical assessments designed to be accessible to all countries and stakeholders on an equitable basis. Its work seeks to help bridge the knowledge gap in artificial intelligence and reflects an ambitious vision embodied in the panel’s diverse regional representation.
His Excellency Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Advanced Science and Technology, stated that Dr Al Hanai’s appointment to this prominent UN panel reflects the high level of excellence achieved by Emirati scientific talent and the scale of continued investment in this vital sector. He noted that the UAE looks forward to the panel’s first report as part of its constructive contribution to shaping the future of global AI governance in a manner that mitigates risks and maximises opportunities for the benefit of humanity.
In the same context, His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations in New York, expressed pride in the General Assembly’s appointment of Dr Al Hanai. He affirmed that her distinguished research career reflects the UAE’s steadfast commitment to sustainable investment in artificial intelligence and the development of scientific capabilities.
For her part, Dr Al Hanai said she was honoured to join the panel at a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI innovation and governance. She expressed her eagerness to collaborate with leading experts to enhance collective understanding of AI’s opportunities and impacts for the benefit of all, while highlighting the growing contributions of the UAE and the wider region to global AI research and efforts addressing fundamental questions about humanity’s future.
The appointment comes at a time when the UAE is witnessing rapid growth in scientific research output, as well as significant advances in expertise, infrastructure and applications related to artificial intelligence technologies. Dr Al Hanai’s human-centred approach to AI aligns closely with the UAE’s vision of harnessing technology to support sustainable development pathways, reinforce human values, and promote prosperity and well-being for all.
As a global hub for technology, trade and innovation, the UAE’s artificial intelligence strategy focuses on directing technological advancement towards positive impact and strengthening partnerships that support sustainable development, particularly in countries of the Global South. The UAE continues to affirm its firm commitment to advancing international cooperation, capacity building, and responsible and inclusive progress in artificial intelligence, both within the United Nations framework and across multilateral platforms worldwide.
