Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, on Thursday launched an initiative aimed at maintaining the balance between humanity and technology. The new drive, “Tolerance and Coexistence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, seeks to ensure that as AI drives growth and shapes daily life, core values are upheld and the technology remains a force for good.
Speaking to Aletihad, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said the initiative aims to fully harness the potential of AI to promote tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity.
This vision extends not only to all segments of Emirati society but to communities around the world, the minister said on the sidelines of a press conference for the initiative’s launch.
To advance its goals, the ministry is engaging schools, universities, and public and private institutions as strategic partners to ensure the programme reaches every individual, family, and segment of society, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said.
The press conference organised by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence highlighted the authority’s plans for the future and its adoption of AI across all its programmes throughout the year.
“This initiative represents the ministry’s contribution to strengthening the UAE’s leading position in the field of artificial intelligence, which has become a defining force in shaping life across the world,” Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said.
The AI-driven effort will span all levels of engagement — from individuals and communities to the national and international spheres.
The initiative will leverage advanced technology to open channels of dialogue between individuals, enhance the efficiency of local institutions, and build strong relationships with communities, religious institutions, and society organisations. It will also showcase the UAE’s model of human fraternity to the world.
Twelve innovative applications shall be developed as part of the initiative to facilitate continuous learning and data analysis, enrich culture, heritage, and national identity, and support tolerance efforts.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said that in pursuing this initiative, the ministry is guided by a clear understanding of the connection between tolerance and artificial intelligence, emphasising the necessity of preserving human values and principles, and ensuring that AI remains ethical.
“We at the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence are fully aware of the great benefits of AI, but we are equally aware of the risks that may arise from misuse, risks that could negatively impact the fabric of society. We view AI as a test for humanity, offering tremendous opportunities for progress, but requiring awareness, responsibility and preparedness to manage its challenges wisely,” Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said.
He stressed that AI must be developed on a strong ethical and human-values foundation, with an intent to serve the common good. This requires close cooperation among governments, academia, tech companies, and civil society.
The UAE is fully prepared for this role, the minister said. “In fact, we are already pioneers in ensuring that ethics, human values, and responsible conduct are central to innovation and technological development.”
AI development, if guided by a moral compass, can strengthen social ties and deepen compassion, solidarity, dialogue, and human connection, he said.
“We intend to use AI to understand behavioural patterns in society, identify elements of unity and cohesion, and develop digital tools that encourage positive conduct and constructive communication. In this way, AI — which tests our commitment to human values — becomes a powerful opportunity to reinforce and elevate those values in our society.”
‘Ethics will Guide the Future of Humanity’
Even as technology transforms several aspects of life, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak is confident that “noble ethics and human values will guide the future of humanity”.
“They are the guarantee that human progress will always uphold dignity and respect for every individual. I am equally convinced that success in AI requires a deep commitment to protecting life and strengthening solidarity, compassion, and shared responsibility,” he said.
With the UAE’s achievements firmly tied to its values, the minister “sees a bright future for AI in the country”.
“Globally, AI must be based on the shared principles of all humanity. It must be a tool for good - for fostering understanding, dialogue, and cooperation - and not a source of conflict or division,” he said.
“I am confident that the true success of AI will not be measured by speed or accuracy alone, but by its ability to improve quality of life, and to help human beings live together in peace, understanding, and mutual respect.”
Engaging Communities and Youth
The Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence’s approach for this initiative is “practical and goal-oriented”.
To reach the youth, the authority will use AI to build learning platforms, electronic games, and digital companion systems that serve as tools for education, training, and a channel to promote tolerance initiatives, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said.
Analytical tools will be utilised to track public discourse on tolerance and connect schools and youth spaces to create an integrated network for collaboration.
“Our goal is to ensure that AI becomes a powerful tool for building strong relationships between people - reflecting the enduring human values of our beloved nation,” Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said.
Training is central to the initiative and plans cover upskilling the ministry’s staff members.
The minister added that training and awareness tools will be embedded in the authority’s AI applications, alongside a broader public training programme to be announced later.
AI for Tolerance and Coexistence: 7 Principles
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak highlighted several key principles that will guide the use of artificial intelligence within the initiative.
1. Ethical and Inclusive Use
The ministry will serve as a model of compassionate, respectful and inclusive AI that reinforces love, integrity, non-violence and fairness, and remains free of cultural or ideological bias.
2. Strengthening Human Connection
AI applications will emphasise mutual understanding and the principles of knowing one another, dialogue and collective action, which are the core pillars of the UAE's model of tolerance and coexistence.
3. Innovation and Protection
The ministry will use artificial intelligence creatively to build tools that serve its goals and protect society from risks, thereby strengthening societal resilience in a rapidly changing world.
4. Data and Insight Generation
Artificial intelligence will be used to collect and analyse data, including social media content, with insights shared widely to inform positive action.
5. Digital Companions
Some applications will function as digital companions that offer guidance, support personal confidence and encourage constructive behaviour among youth and community members.
6. Expanding Reach and Impact
AI will enable the ministry to reach larger audiences and collaborate with partners inside and outside the UAE. This includes energising the Global Tolerance Alliance, supported by the Ministry as a global platform for advocates of tolerance and coexistence.
7. Strong Community Partnerships
The ministry will collaborate with universities, civil society organisations and technology companies to develop meaningful AI tools that contribute to social growth and development.Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak explained that the ministry will develop 12 AI applications that address all areas of its work and serve diverse segments of the population in the UAE and beyond.
These applications will support continuous learning anytime and anywhere, inspire innovation in tolerance and coexistence, celebrate culture, heritage and national identity, deepen global connections, facilitate communication and knowledge sharing and build advanced data systems for analysis and insight.
