The UAE is leading the process of empowering digital minds and creating artificial intelligence competencies

Abu Dhabi, November 22, 2017 – The UAE continues to consolidate its leading position in the field of empowering national competencies in the field of artificial intelligence, through strategic initiatives aimed at building human capabilities and qualifying a generation of experts and researchers to lead digital transformation projects.

The UAE places people at the heart of its vision for technical transformation, as educational and research institutions, government and private agencies work to develop an integrated system to empower talent, which includes education, training, research and practical application in vital sectors, ensuring the country’s leadership in the future economy based on knowledge and innovation.

Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence is at the forefront of academic institutions supporting competency building, as it is the first university to devote its full potential to advancing scientific progress using artificial intelligence.

The university aims to empower the next generation of artificial intelligence pioneers, promote innovation, and develop effective applications of artificial intelligence to serve society and humanity, by providing world-class education and multidisciplinary research.

The UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy aims to accelerate the implementation of development programs and projects to reach the future, rely on artificial intelligence in services and data analysis at a rate of 100% by 2031, improve government performance, accelerate achievement, and create innovative work environments.

Studies and reports by international institutions indicate that the UAE is among the most advanced countries in employing artificial intelligence at the governmental and institutional levels, and in terms of the use of artificial intelligence.

According to the “Government Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Index 2024” report issued by Oxford Insights, the UAE occupies an advanced position globally within the category of countries most prepared to adopt artificial intelligence, as it is ranked first in the region and thirteenth in the world.

The “State of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the GCC 2024” report, issued by McKinsey Global Consulting, praised the extent of development achieved by the UAE in training and qualifying the workforce in the field of artificial intelligence, noting that it has launched many training programs in generative artificial intelligence.

According to Microsoft, the UAE leads the world in the use of artificial intelligence, with 59.4% of the population already using artificial intelligence, and it is also considered a model that the world can benefit from in developing digital competencies.

Experts and academics confirmed that the UAE is one of the countries that clearly stands out in the field of adopting and enabling artificial intelligence, training workers in various sectors and institutions, and building qualified cadres in this framework.

Randa Bseiso, founding president of the Middle East Center at the University of Manchester – Dubai, said that the UAE is one of the world’s leading countries in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. She realized early on that the importance of artificial intelligence goes beyond being a technological development, but rather an effective engine for economic and social progress, noting that what distinguishes the UAE’s experience is its deep awareness that the true value of artificial intelligence lies in the human element.

She pointed out that the UAE has responded to the growth in demand for specialized competencies in artificial intelligence in various sectors, through a proactive plan and a long-term vision, which made teaching and training artificial intelligence a national priority, with the aim of preparing professional cadres at all levels, from technical experts to decision makers, to make optimal use of the opportunities it provides.

She stressed that the UAE was able to accelerate the pace of adoption of artificial intelligence technologies and expand the scope of its benefits to include different segments of society, and that this participatory model is extremely important. Keeping pace with rapid technological transformations requires concerted efforts and integration of roles.

She pointed out that the UAE’s commitment to building national capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence amid the continuing change and development of the global landscape is, in essence, a commitment to raising the level of its future competitiveness and consolidating its leadership position in the digital economy.

For her part, Amal Dimashqi, Regional Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Turnitin, a technology solutions company that supports academic integrity, said that the UAE is continuing to chart an ambitious path in the field of artificial intelligence, not only to lead the scene of technological innovation, but also to lead efforts to build qualified human capabilities for a smarter future.

She added that artificial intelligence constitutes a major axis in the country’s vision towards diversifying the economy, enhancing knowledge sectors, and ensuring sustainable growth over the coming decades, in line with the “UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031” and the “UAE Centenary 2071.”

She explained that one of the main axes of this vision is based on empowering students and professional staff with the necessary skills for a future based on artificial intelligence, pointing out that the current academic year 2025-2026 witnessed the Ministry of Education launching a new curriculum that focuses on responsible artificial intelligence, and addresses its basic concepts, ethical dimensions, real-life projects and applications, in addition to supportive training programs for teachers.

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