In a landmark move to enhance transparency in content production, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation, has approved the launch of the world’s first Human–Machine Collaboration (HMC) classification system.
The system is designed to differentiate the roles of humans and intelligent machines in creating scientific, academic, creative, and intellectual content—a response to growing global concerns around the unchecked use of AI in research, writing, and media.
“Distinguishing between human creativity and artificial intelligence has become a real challenge in light of today’s rapid technological advances. That’s why we launched the world’s first Human–Machine Collaboration Icons,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
“We invite researchers, writers, publishers, designers, and content creators worldwide to adopt this system and use it responsibly.”
Mandated For Dubai Government Entities
Sheikh Hamdan has directed all Dubai Government entities to begin implementing the HMC classification system across their research, publishing, and knowledge-based initiatives. Developed by the Dubai Future Foundation, the system is part of the emirate’s commitment to future-ready governance and innovation ethics.
How The Classification System Works
The Human–Machine Collaboration System uses five primary icons to reflect the degree of machine involvement in content creation:
- All Human: Content created entirely by a human
- Human-led: Human-created with machine-assisted accuracy or enhancement
- Machine Assisted: A mix of human and AI collaboration
- Machine-led: AI-generated content reviewed by a human
- All Machine: Fully machine-generated content
Additionally, nine functional icons identify the specific tasks where human–machine collaboration occurred, including ideation, literature review, data analysis, interpretation, writing, translation, visual design, and graphic design.
The icons are non-quantitative but provide a clear visual indicator of the content creation process, aiming to standardize transparency while preserving flexibility across industries.
A Global Call To Action
The launch reflects Dubai’s proactive stance in shaping the adoption of ethical technology, particularly in fields such as AI, automation, and generative content creation. The icon system is also applicable across diverse media formats, including images and video, and is designed to adapt to evolving AI use cases.
“This system empowers decision-makers, researchers, and readers with the context needed to interpret and assess content in an AI-driven world,” a Dubai Future Foundation spokesperson said.
The classification is now available for global adoption, and users can explore the system and download resources at www.dubaifuture.ae/hmc.
–Input WAM
