Google Gemini has secured the top position in the UAE’s new “AI in the Ring” Index, a first-of-its-kind benchmark that measures how well artificial intelligence models understand and reflect Emirati culture, language, and values.
The results were announced by the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office after an extensive review that compared 11 leading language models. More than 400 questions and 5,200 AI-generated responses were evaluated by a committee of Emirati experts who assessed each model’s grasp of national identity.
Following Gemini 2.5 Pro, the highest performers included ChatGPT GPT-4o, ChatGPT o1, Cohere, and Grok. The assessment examined cultural understanding across seven categories, such as historical knowledge, creative writing, Emirati Arabic, cultural symbols, social norms, and values.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, said the findings highlight the UAE’s commitment to ensuring that fast-evolving digital tools remain rooted in the country’s identity. He stressed that emerging technologies must reinforce national values while supporting innovation.
The models were evaluated through a Human–AI red-teaming approach that tested their accuracy and cultural sensitivity. A custom-built platform monitored bias and unusual outputs, and reviewers were not told which AI system produced each response to maintain neutrality.
Officials noted the growing urgency of culturally aligned AI. Despite the UAE’s rich heritage, less than 5 percent of Arabic content is available in digital form, while nearly half of Generation Z relies on AI as a primary information source. The index aims to guide the development of systems that preserve language, heritage, and cultural relevance for future generations.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
