UAE Introduces Advanced AI Training for Top AI Officials

Published Date : 10/06/2025 

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a specialized two-week AI training program for chief AI officers across federal government agencies. This initiative aims to enhance the country's capabilities in artificial intelligence and ensure sustained progress in adopting smart solutions. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a significant step towards strengthening its position in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) by launching a specialized training program for chief AI officers. This initiative, part of the Federal Artificial Intelligence Programme, is designed to upskill and empower leaders in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

The training program, launched by the Office of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, is a collaborative effort with the University of Birmingham in Dubai. It is tailored specifically for chief AI officers and will cover the latest trends, governance models, ethics, and regulatory changes, as well as sector-specific applications of AI.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s minister of state for AI, emphasized the importance of the program, stating that it will “drive a culture of positive transformation, fuel national ambitions, and empower leaders capable of driving innovation.”

The core aim of the programme is to ensure sustained progress in adopting and developing smart solutions. It represents a strategic move to enhance government readiness, fast-track advanced technology integration, and reinforce the UAE’s global leadership in artificial intelligence.

The course will combine academic theory on AI with practical experience, featuring intensive modules on the fundamentals and frontiers of AI. Real-world use cases will include health, cybersecurity, energy, urban development, government services, and entrepreneurship.

Since its inception in 2019, the Federal Artificial Intelligence Programme has trained over 370 individuals from more than 100 organizations. While primarily aimed at government officials, the programme is also open to private sector employees and UAE residents. In April this year, 100 people graduated from the latest course.

The new training course for chief AI officers follows the appointment of 22 chief AI officers across various government entities in Dubai last year. Sheikh Hamdan, the Crown Prince of Dubai, introduced these roles in key government agencies, including the Department of Finance, Road and Transport Authority, and the Dubai Police. He stated that the decision supports the city’s vision of becoming a global hub in developing and deploying AI solutions.

The UAE has been proactive in promoting the development of AI and integrating the technology into government operations. This year, the country became the first in the world to offer its population free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium product of OpenAI’s AI chatbot, through a strategic partnership with OpenAI. The partnership also includes plans for a large-scale AI infrastructure project in Abu Dhabi, known as Stargate UAE.

AI is currently used in the UAE to identify driving offenses, particularly people using their mobile phones while driving. At the Global Government Summit in Singapore, HE Mohammed Bin Taliah, the chief of government services for the UAE, highlighted the importance of disseminating AI literacy across the community, noting that AI will be an integral part of our lives in the near future.

The UAE’s commitment to AI is evident in its ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of its leaders and ensure that the country remains at the forefront of technological innovation. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the Federal Artificial Intelligence Programme in the UAE?

A: The Federal Artificial Intelligence Programme is an initiative launched by the UAE’s Office of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. It aims to upskill and empower leaders in the field of artificial intelligence, ensuring sustained progress in adopting smart solutions.

Q: Who is eligible for the new AI training program?

A: The new AI training program is designed for chief AI officers across federal government agencies. Trainees are selected based on their competence in the field of rapidly evolving technologies, following a UAE cabinet approval.

Q: What topics will the training program cover?

A: The training program will cover the latest trends, governance models, ethics, and regulatory changes, as well as sector-specific applications of AI. It will combine academic theory with practical experience, featuring intensive modules on the fundamentals and frontiers of AI.

Q: What is the significance of the UAE’s partnership with OpenAI?

A: The partnership between the UAE and OpenAI is significant because it includes plans for a large-scale AI infrastructure project in Abu Dhabi, known as Stargate UAE. Additionally, the UAE became the first country to offer its population free access to ChatGPT Plus, the premium product of OpenAI’s AI chatbot.

Q: How is AI currently used in the UAE?

A: AI is currently used in the UAE to identify driving offenses, particularly people using their mobile phones while driving. It allows law enforcement officers to allocate their efforts more efficiently by delegating tasks that can be effectively handled by AI algorithms. 

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