Abu Dhabi and OpenAI make laws machine-readable for AI processing
Abu Dhabi has entered into a partnership with OpenAI to make laws and regulations machine-readable, with the aim of reducing public permit processing times from days to minutes.

What happened?
Abu Dhabi has launched a collaboration with OpenAI named 'Machine-Readable Government' (MRG). The initiative aims to convert laws, regulations, and policies into a machine-readable format, enabling AI systems to process permit applications and compliance checks. The objective is to shorten processing times for routine administrative decisions from days to minutes.
Key facts
| Initiativ | Machine-Readable Government (MRG) |
|---|---|
| Partner | Abu Dhabi och OpenAI |
| Mål för handläggningstid | Från dagar till minuter |
| Datum för offentliggörande | 9 november 2026 |
Why it matters
Adapting laws for direct interpretation by AI models is a step toward more automated government operations. By structuring regulations to be machine-readable, models can make initial assessments faster, thereby reducing administrative burdens in public management.
Who is affected?
The initiative affects citizens and businesses in Abu Dhabi applying for public permits. It also impacts public sector caseworkers, who will receive AI support in review processes.
Impact on the EU
The initiative is limited to Abu Dhabi and does not directly affect the EU. However, should similar systems be introduced within the EU, they must be adapted to meet the strict requirements of the EU AI Act regarding transparency and human oversight in AI-based public decision-making.
What else you should know
The initiative is being implemented with 'human-in-the-loop' oversight to ensure that decisions comply with applicable law. OpenAI and the emirate have not specified which legislative areas will be prioritised first.
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