New academy to boost AI education opens in Dubai

A new academy designed to widen the breadth and scope of education around AI has been launched by the Dubai AI Campus.

The Dubai AI Academy was unveiled at the Dubai AI Retreat, held as part of the inaugural Dubai AI Week, at the Museum of the Future, where over 150 government leaders and global AI experts gathered to discuss AI integration across sectors.

Dubai AI Campus – launched last year – is the largest dedicated cluster of artificial intelligence and advanced tech companies in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, located in the DIFC Innovation Hub.

The Dubai AI Academy, which is aiming to provide AI education for 10,000 emerging and experienced leaders, said its learning programmes will be delivered in partnership with world-class academia and training providers. The initiative is designed to broaden the pool of talent capable of advancing adoption of AI across future-focused industries.

“The Academy will offer unique training and certifications, tailored to match the objectives and skill requirements of civil servants and the private sector. This includes, for instance, the ability to understand AI, identify and implement AI use cases, and utilise AI as a strategic capability of organisations, including ethical aspects,” it said. “The Dubai AI Academy is a vital step that supports the goal of doubling Dubai’s economic growth and increasing AI’s contributions to the emirate and the UAE’s GDP.”

McKinsey’s research sizes the global long-term AI opportunity at $4.4 trillion in added productivity growth potential from corporate use cases.

Commenting on the launch, Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre ) Authority said: “The Dubai AI Academy is yet another milestone in our journey to advance the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI).

“To stay competitive in this fast-evolving world, organisations must prioritise AI and ensure its adoption within the workforce. This will give them an edge over other organisations, helping them drive operational efficiencies and transform their business models. The Dubai AI Academy will create a pool of AI talent who will accelerate the adoption of AI applications within all sectors, solidifying Dubai’s status as a preferred global destination for AI, innovation and technology companies.”

One of the first programmes will be ‘AI for Civil Service’, which will be accessible to all government employees in partnership with US not-for-profit educational organisation Udacity. Dubai AI Academy has also partnered with the Minerva Project to deliver ‘Leadership in the Age of AI’, which will equip participants with durable, transferable skills to lead teams, navigate complexity, and make informed, ethical decisions in an AI-enabled world.

Building on ongoing collaborations on leadership and talent development, the Academy is also collaborating with the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School.

More information on the Dubai AI Academy and its current programmes is available at: http://dubaiaicampus.com/dubai-ai-academy

‘Digital Wallet’ launch to boost digital transformation

A ‘Digital Wallet’ has been launched as part of the UAE’s digital services package, in line with the Emirates’ strategy for the comprehensive digital transformation of government services.

The initiative came from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.

The ‘Digital Wallet’ allows corporate customers to make payments for MoHRE’s services and settle fees and financial obligations instantly. By linking the Ministry with the bank, the wallet offers fully integrated financial services that enhance service efficiency and deliver added value to users.

Mohammed Saqr Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at MoHRE, called on companies to register for the ‘Digital Wallet’ on MoHRE’s platforms via the Electronic Wallet Registration for Companies service. Companies may begin using the wallet for payments upon approval of the registration request by the bank.

He added that the launch of the wallet is the first phase of the service, which will be expanded to include multiple bank options in due course. “This will support financial inclusion and align with the ministry’s strategy to enhance labour market efficiency, ease of doing business, competitiveness, flexibility and attractiveness – consolidating the country’s position as a leading hub for investment and business,” he said.