An Abu Dhabi mother is preparing an unusual will that would require her child’s future guardians to consult ChatGPT when making major decisions about his upbringing if she dies while he is still young.
The proposed arrangement, called the “Living Wishes Protocol”, aims to preserve the mother’s values, beliefs and parenting philosophy through an artificial intelligence system that would advise guardians on decisions she cannot anticipate.
The seven-page bilingual draft is being prepared for registration with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department but has not yet been registered or approved by a court.
Byron James of Expatriate Law, the firm drafting the document, told Khaleej Times that the proposal was designed to preserve the mother’s guidance without allowing AI to take control of the child’s upbringing.
The system would have no legal authority over the child and would not be appointed as a guardian. Instead, it would serve as an advisory tool, using a written record of the mother’s wishes alongside information supplied by the guardian about each situation.
Under the draft, guardians would consult the designated AI system before making significant decisions concerning the child’s education, place of residence, non-urgent medical or psychological treatment, religious upbringing and contact with the mother’s family.
The final decision would remain with the human guardian, and the document explicitly states that the AI must not be presented as speaking for the mother or knowing what she would have decided.
Child’s welfare and independence remain priorities
The protocol is designed to prevent the mother’s recorded wishes from becoming rigid instructions that override the child’s needs as he grows older.
Guardians would be required to consider the mother’s values alongside the child’s wishes and feelings, as well as their own assessment of his welfare. The child’s preferences would receive greater consideration as he matures and becomes better able to express his views.
The draft also calls for annual reviews until the child turns 18, covering his education, health, happiness, friendships, interests and changing needs. The child would be invited to participate when capable of doing so.
A separate human adviser would review the arrangement at least once a year and when requested by the guardian, including whether the child’s privacy and growing independence were being respected.
The protocol would not apply to emergencies involving the child’s life, health or safety. It could not override the law or a court order, and failure to follow its provisions would not automatically invalidate a decision or the guardian’s appointment.
Privacy and legal questions remain
The proposal raises concerns about sharing sensitive information about a minor with a commercial AI provider. James said arrangements for storing the mother’s wishes, controlling access and limiting the information shared with AI had not been finalised.
He stressed that the system should not depend on a particular commercial product or account remaining available for years. Protecting the child’s privacy and welfare would take priority over preserving the parent’s influence.
James said the firm was not aware of a previously registered will combining the same provisions, but it was not claiming a verified world first.
The draft remains a discussion document, with registration and attestation details still blank. No court approval has been confirmed, and its legal treatment in the UAE remains unresolved.
The proposal seeks to combine a parent’s recorded wishes with human judgment, leaving the guardian responsible for decisions while giving the child’s developing needs and independence increasing importance.
