UAE cements global AI leadership with focus on human capital, training

The United Arab Emirates is reinforcing its leading position in developing national expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) through strategic initiatives aimed at building human capital and preparing a generation of experts to spearhead digital transformation.

The UAE places people at the core of its technological vision. Educational institutions, research centres, and public and private sector entities are developing an integrated system to empower talent, encompassing education, training, research, and practical application in vital sectors, ensuring the nation’s future leadership in the knowledge and innovation-based economy.

At the forefront is the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first graduate-level, research-driven institution dedicated entirely to advancing AI. It aims to empower the next generation of AI pioneers through world-class education and multidisciplinary research.

The UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence aims to accelerate development and relies on AI for 100 percent of services and data analysis by 2031, enhancing government performance and creating innovative work environments.

International studies and reports rank the UAE among the most advanced countries globally in adopting AI across government and institutional levels. According to the “Government AI Readiness Index 2024” issued by Oxford Insights, the UAE ranks first in the region and 13th globally among the countries best prepared to adopt AI.

Furthermore, a McKinsey & Company report titled, “The state of gen AI in the Middle East’s GCC countries:A 2024 report card”, highlighted the UAE’s progress in training and upskilling the workforce in AI, noting the launch of multiple programmes focused on generative AI.

According to Microsoft, the UAE leads the world in AI adoption, with 59.4 per cent of the population already using AI tools, making the country a global model for developing digital competencies.

Experts affirmed the UAE’s prominent role in AI adoption and in building qualified cadres. Randa Bessiso, Director of the Middle East Centre at the University of Manchester – Dubai, said the UAE is a global leader in shaping the future of AI, having early on recognised that AI is not just a technological evolution but a driver of economic and social progress.

She added that what sets the UAE apart is its deep understanding that the real value of AI lies in human capital. She said the UAE responded to the rising demand for specialised AI skills with a forward-looking national plan that prioritised AI education and training to prepare talent at all levels to fully harness emerging opportunities.

Amal Dimashki, Regional Director MENAT at Turnitin, said that AI is a central pillar in the UAE’s vision for economic diversification and sustainable growth. A key focus is empowering students and professionals with the necessary skills, evidenced by the Ministry of Education’s launch of a new curriculum focusing on responsible AI and supporting training programmes for teachers.

In April this year, Ahmad Jamal, Regional Director of Artificial Intelligence Solutions at NVIDIA, affirmed that the UAE has made significant strides in establishing itself as a regional and global hub for artificial intelligence (AI). He noted that the country has transitioned from the phase of investing in infrastructure and technologies to a stage of achieving returns and productivity on both economic and technological levels.

In a statement to Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the Dubai AI Festival, Jamal highlighted that the UAE has launched the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to increase AI’s contribution to 14% of the country’s GDP. This reflects a genuine shift toward a knowledge-based economy and embodies the ambitious vision of the UAE’s wise leadership.

He explained that the Abu Dhabi government is working toward achieving 100% implementation of AI technologies in government entities by the year 2027. The strategy also aims to generate up to Dhs24 billion in GDP from the AI sector over the next few years.

Jamal added that the UAE was among the first countries to adopt a comprehensive approach to AI technologies, beginning with the establishment of the world’s first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and the appointment of the first minister for this future-oriented technology. This laid the groundwork for rapid developments that have placed the UAE among the leading nations in the field. He emphasised that the UAE is not only building advanced digital infrastructure but is also developing a fully integrated cybersecurity framework. He pointed to the launch of a Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in collaboration with Google as a key example.

Jamal also noted that the world is currently witnessing a qualitative shift from generative AI to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and that the Dubai AI Festival is seeing the launch of a new AI model developed entirely in Dubai and set to be released globally.

WAM