Abu Dhabi Will Would Have Guardians Consult ChatGPT: What Expats Should Know
An Abu Dhabi mother's draft will asks future guardians to consult ChatGPT on big decisions about her son. Here is how it works and what it means for expat wills.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
A mother in Abu Dhabi is preparing a will that would require her son's future guardians to consult ChatGPT before making major decisions about his upbringing, if she dies while he is still young, Khaleej Times reported. The draft is being prepared for registration with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, but it has not been registered or approved by a court.
For expat parents, it is a prompt to think about who would raise your children, and how they would know what you wanted.
How the "Living Wishes Protocol" would work
The proposal, called the Living Wishes Protocol, was drafted by Expatriate Law. "It's about trying to preserve something of her guidance while leaving decisions firmly in human hands," Byron James of the firm told Khaleej Times.
Under the seven-page bilingual draft, guardians would give a designated AI system, currently named as ChatGPT, the mother's "Living Wishes Record". This is a written statement of her values, beliefs, parenting philosophy and hopes for her son, along with the facts of the situation at hand.
Guardians would consult the AI before significant decisions, such as his school, his country or city of residence, non-urgent medical or psychological treatment, his religious upbringing and contact with the mother's family.
The final decision always stays with the guardian. The draft says the AI has no appointment under the will, no authority over the child, and must not be presented as speaking for the mother.
Safeguards built into the draft will
Guardians must weigh her recorded values alongside the child's own wishes and feelings and their own view of his welfare. The child's views carry more weight as he grows older.
The draft also provides for:
- an annual review of his education, health, happiness and needs until he turns 18
- a separate human adviser who reviews the protocol at least once a year
- confidential records of significant consultations, available to the court on request
- no role in urgent decisions about the child's life, health or safety
James said a parent "cannot anticipate every decision that might arise over the next 10 or 15 years", which is why the family wanted more than a static letter.
Is an AI clause in a UAE will legally valid?
That question is still open. "No court approval or acceptance of the Living Wishes Protocol has been confirmed at this stage," James told Khaleej Times. He noted that ChatGPT is not a legal person, but the draft does not make it a guardian or give it legal powers.
The wording may change after legal review, and some parts may move into a separate letter of wishes. Privacy questions also remain, including what would be shared with an AI provider. "We would not want a child's intimate personal history being unnecessarily uploaded to a commercial AI service," he said.
What UAE expats should take from this
You do not need an AI clause to learn from this case:
- Name your guardians clearly. Here, humans stay in charge.
- Write down your values. A letter of wishes can explain how you want your children raised.
- Plan for change. Children grow and form their own views.
- Think about privacy. Know where sensitive family information is stored.
- Get legal advice from a qualified lawyer before adding unusual clauses.
If you own assets in more than one country, our guide UAE Inheritance Laws: Can Foreign Wills Cover Your Emirates Assets? explains why where your will is made matters. Indian residents with property back home can also read Dubai NRI Wills: How to Draft for Property in India 2025.
Key takeaway
A draft Abu Dhabi will asks guardians to consult ChatGPT as an adviser on a child's upbringing, with humans and the court firmly in control. It has not been approved, but it is a reminder for expat parents to name guardians and record their wishes clearly.
FAQ
Can ChatGPT be named as a guardian in a UAE will?
The draft in this case does not try that. It gives the AI no appointment and no authority, and James noted that ChatGPT is not a legal person.
Has a UAE court approved the Living Wishes Protocol?
No. Khaleej Times reported that the will has not been registered or approved, and its legal treatment is yet to be determined.
What is a letter of wishes?
It is a document setting out your hopes and values for your estate or children. Parts of this protocol may move into one instead of the registered will.
Would the AI make decisions for the child?
No. Guardians decide, weigh the child's own wishes, and record reasons when they depart from the AI's output.
Further reading
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