Ministry of Economy and Tourism participates in first Global Forum on Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence in Switzerland

H.E. Dr. Al Muaini highlights UAE’s efforts to advance AI adoption across key sectors including IP, through investment in digital infrastructure, research, innovation and specialised talent

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism participated in the inaugural Global Forum on Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence, organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland. The event was attended by H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property (IP) sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism.

In his address at the forum, H.E. Al Muaini said: “Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the intellectual property ecosystem, creating new opportunities while also presenting new challenges for IP offices around the world. AI tools have the potential to advance IP management mechanisms and enhance the services provided, while their growing use by applicants is changing the volume and nature of applications and placing new demands on the workflows and procedures of these offices.”

In this context, he added: “In the UAE, we view AI and IP as two complementary fields that reinforce one another. AI contributes to advancing the IP system, accelerating procedures and improving management efficiency, while IP provides a supportive framework for protecting AI-driven innovations and solutions and encouraging their development.”

The Assistant Undersecretary continued: “The UAE has set a leading example in adopting and leveraging AI technologies across various vital sectors, including its IP system, through investment in digital infrastructure, the development of government services, the promotion of scientific research and innovation, and the attraction of specialised talent. These efforts reflect the UAE’s transition from merely adopting advanced technologies in the field of intellectual property to contributing to their development and creating innovative, future-ready solutions that enhance its competitiveness and global standing.”

H.E. Al Muaini also noted that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s participation in the forum represents another step forward in strengthening international cooperation with IP offices, organisations and relevant institutions at both regional and global levels. Such cooperation is particularly important in areas such as institutional capacity building, the development of operational mechanisms and procedures, and enhancing the readiness of personnel to navigate rapid technological advancements. It also involves equipping them with the skills to leverage AI applications in the field of intellectual property, as well as exchanging best practices, expertise and success stories in this area.

Furthermore, H.E. highlighted the UAE’s efforts to leverage AI technologies to advance its IP ecosystem. These include establishing the UAE IP sector under the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, deploying smart solutions to accelerate patent and trademark examination and registration procedures, and introducing innovative generative AI-powered solutions, including a service for creating trademark logos. As of early October 2026, the total number of national and international trademarks registered in the UAE had reached 429,681.

H.E. added that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism has launched several digital initiatives in recent years, including InstaBlock, IP Sport and IP Game, to strengthen IP rights enforcement, combat digital piracy and protect creative and sports content. The Ministry has also been working to expand international partnerships and facilitate the exchange of expertise in this field. He pointed to the growing investment in innovation, advanced technology and AI in the UAE, noting that the country ranked first globally in the New Investments in Research and Development and Advanced Technologies indicator of the Global Innovation Index 2026.

Concluding his address, H.E. Al Muaini reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to continuing its cooperation with WIPO, its member states and partners at both regional and international levels to develop an IP system that keeps pace with rapid technological advancements and harnesses AI capabilities responsibly and securely. This will help protect innovators’ rights, open up new avenues for innovation and creativity, and contribute to building a more sustainable and competitive digital economy.

The Global Forum on IP and AI discusses the legal and legislative aspects of AI’s impact on various areas of intellectual property, including patents, copyright, trademarks, industrial designs and trade secrets. It also examines related global regulatory developments and issues concerning the ownership of inventions and creative works generated using AI, as well as the nature of the inputs and outputs produced by its applications.