Dubai Unveils First Global Human Machine Collaboration Classification
Dubai has officially launched the world’s first global classification system to indicate how much humans and machines contribute to content creation. Developed by the Dubai Future Foundation, the Human–Machine Collaboration (HMC) classification offers a visual, icon-based framework that reflects the level of involvement by intelligent technologies including AI models, robotics, automation tools, and algorithms across various content types.
This system applies to creative, academic, scientific, and intellectual works. As a result, it aims to bring transparency to content development at a time when distinguishing between human and AI-generated work is becoming increasingly difficult. Additionally, the classification enables creators to clearly communicate their use of machine support without assigning specific percentages.
Five Main Levels of Collaboration
The HMC framework introduces five core icons, each representing a different degree of collaboration. “All Human” indicates the content was created entirely by humans without machine input. “Human Led” includes cases where machines assist with corrections or improvements. In “Machine Assisted,” both humans and machines contribute in a back-and-forth process. “Machine Led” reflects content where machines take the lead, while humans oversee quality. Finally, “All Machine” marks content created entirely by machines.
By offering a simple visual reference, the icons help users understand how much creative control was held by humans versus machines. Therefore, audiences can better evaluate the origin and authenticity of what they consume. Moreover, the system is designed for adoption across sectors and can support a variety of formats, including text, visuals, and video.
Broader Transparency Through Functional Icons
In addition to the main classification icons, the system features nine functional icons that provide deeper transparency. These represent specific stages where machines may assist, such as ideation, literature review, data collection, analysis, interpretation, writing, translation, visual generation, and design. As a result, creators can disclose exactly where machine input occurred throughout their process.
Dubai has directed all government entities to begin using the HMC classification in their content-related projects. Furthermore, the framework is being promoted globally to encourage responsible, clear, and ethical AI collaboration in content creation.
