DUBAI: The Dubai Future Foundation has unveiled the world’s first classification system to transparently define the role of human and machine collaboration in content creation, research, and publishing, it was announced on Wednesday.
Approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai, the system is aimed at increasing accountability and clarity in an era of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.
The new Human–Machine Collaboration Icon Classification System will introduce a set of five primary icons to indicate the level of collaboration between humans and intelligent machines, as well as nine additional functional icons that reflect the specific stages of a project where this collaboration occurred, such as ideation, data analysis, and visual design.
“Distinguishing between human creativity and artificial intelligence has become a real challenge in light of today’s rapid technological advances. This calls for a new approach to recognize the growing role of intelligent machines,” said Sheikh Hamdan.
“That’s why we launched the world’s first Human–Machine Collaboration Icons: a classification system that brings transparency to how research, publications, and content are created.”
Sheikh Hamdan also called on researchers, writers, publishers, designers, and content creators around the world to adopt the new system responsibly and use it in ways that serve the public good.
Additionally, he directed all Dubai government entities to begin implementing the system in their research and knowledge-based work.
The HMC system is intended to give readers, researchers, and decision-makers a clearer understanding of how much human or machine input shaped a particular piece of work.
It reflects a growing reliance on intelligent systems such as generative AI, algorithms, automation tools, and robotics across fields like academia, design, media, and scientific research.
The five primary classifications range from “All Human” — denoting no machine involvement — to “All Machine,” where content is generated entirely by automated systems.
Intermediate categories capture varying degrees of collaboration, such as “Human Led,” “Machine Assisted,” and “Machine Led,” depending on which party took the initiative and how the work was validated.
