AI Images of UAE Leaders? New Warning Says Official Approval Is Required

UAE AI warning** comes as increasingly realistic AI-generated images and videos make it harder for audiences to distinguish authentic material from fabricated content. The National Media Authority said that creating such content featuring national symbols or public figures requires prior official approval.

The authority issued the warning on X on September 29, saying the requirement is in line with media content standards currently in force.

UAE AI-generated images require prior approval

Under the guidance, the use of artificial intelligence or other modern technologies to generate images or videos containing UAE national symbols or public figures requires official approval beforehand.

The authority said that using these technologies without the required approval would constitute a violation of the UAE’s media content standards.

The warning applies specifically to generated visual content involving national symbols and public figures, making the issue particularly relevant to publishers, creators, advertisers and social media users producing AI-generated material.

UAE media rules prohibit false or misleading content

The UAE AI rules are connected to broader media content requirements covering national identity and the country's institutions.

According to the authority, media content rules require respect for the UAE's system of government, national symbols, institutions and national identity.

They also prohibit the publication or circulation of false or misleading material.

That creates an important distinction for creators: AI-generated content may be technologically convincing, but its realism does not make it authentic or automatically permissible for publication.

UAE AI warning comes as deepfake technology advances

The UAE AI warning comes at a time when generative AI systems can produce highly realistic photographs, videos and audio from relatively simple instructions.

A fabricated image can therefore potentially resemble a genuine photograph closely enough to confuse viewers, particularly when it is shared without clear context or disclosure.

The growing sophistication of generative AI has made questions surrounding authenticity, public figures and misleading digital content increasingly significant for media organisations and online platforms.

What the UAE AI guidance means for content creators

For creators producing content in the UAE, the warning puts greater emphasis on checking whether official approval is required before publishing AI-generated material involving protected subjects.

This could be relevant to:

• Social media creators
• Digital publishers
• News organisations
• Advertising agencies
• Marketing teams
• AI-content creators
• Video producers
• Businesses using generative AI

Creators should verify the applicable requirements before publishing AI-generated images or videos involving UAE national symbols or public figures.

UAE AI regulation is expanding alongside adoption

The development comes as the UAE continues to expand its use of artificial intelligence across government and other sectors.

In June, the UAE approved the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority, bringing national functions related to AI, data and digital government under a unified authority. ([WAM][1])

The government has also been advancing the use of AI in public-sector operations, including agentic AI systems and national governance frameworks. ([WAM][2])

The latest media warning therefore comes against a broader backdrop of rapid AI adoption accompanied by increasing emphasis on governance and responsible use.

Why the UAE AI warning matters

The UAE AI warning highlights a growing challenge created by generative technology: realistic-looking content can spread rapidly before audiences have established whether it is genuine.

For public figures and national symbols, fabricated material can potentially create confusion about what was actually said, done or published.

The authority's warning makes clear that creators cannot simply treat AI-generated content as ordinary digital artwork when it involves the subjects covered by the guidance.

UAE AI rules put authenticity and responsibility in focus

The latest announcement places AI-generated content, national identity and media responsibility at the centre of the discussion.

As AI tools become more capable of producing convincing images and videos, the ability to identify fabricated material becomes increasingly important for both publishers and audiences.

For anyone creating content involving UAE national symbols or public figures, the key message from the authority is that prior official approval is required under the cited media content standards.

Detailed Summary

The UAE’s National Media Authority has warned that AI-generated images and videos featuring national symbols or public figures require prior official approval. The authority said using artificial intelligence or other modern technologies to generate such content without approval would violate the UAE’s media content standards.

The UAE AI warning comes as generative AI becomes increasingly capable of creating realistic images, videos and audio. The authority linked the requirement to media rules requiring respect for the UAE’s system of government, national symbols, institutions and national identity, while also prohibiting the publication or circulation of false or misleading material.

The announcement is part of a wider UAE focus on AI governance. The country has been expanding its use of AI in government while simultaneously developing national frameworks and institutions for responsible AI adoption. ([WAM][1])

For content creators, publishers, advertisers and businesses, the latest UAE AI guidance means that generated visual content involving national symbols or public figures should not be treated as ordinary AI-generated media without first checking the applicable approval requirements. UAE Flights Today: Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and flydubai Hit by Disruptions as Air Canada Extends Dubai Suspension UAE Flights Today: Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and flydubai Hit by Disruptions as Air Canada Extends Dubai Suspension