Yesterday, events were held in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi to introduce the artificial intelligence pathway within the “UAE Experts Program.” Emirati professionals led discussions focusing on the strategic priorities shaping the AI agenda in the country.
The sessions highlighted the impact of this pathway in supporting and accelerating the achievement of the National AI Strategy 2031 goals.
The events took place at Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Government Innovation in Dubai. They brought together program experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss ways to enhance national capabilities in AI through governance, advanced computing infrastructure, product development, and responsible application.
Proposed Practical Project
According to Khaled Al Nuaimi, spokesperson for the AI pathway, the application registration for the program has seen significant interest, receiving over 600 nominations within the first two weeks of opening registration from various sectors. Between 25 to 30 experts will be selected to participate in the program.
He explained that the selection process relies on four main criteria, which include professional experience in AI fields of at least five years, along with academic backgrounds and specialized certifications in AI and technology.
Candidates’ leadership abilities, entrepreneurial skills, and communication capabilities are also assessed, as well as their capacity to turn strategic goals into practical applications.
Additionally, applicants must present a proposed practical project to be developed throughout the program, which runs from May to December, ensuring a direct practical impact of the knowledge gained.
The program features partnerships with major global companies and academic institutions, including collaborations with the Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence and other international universities. It combines both technical and strategic training, focusing on AI solutions development, strategy formulation, and assessing economic and operational impacts.
He noted that the program aligns with the UAE’s AI Strategy 2031, aiming to enhance AI contributions to the national economy while building national capacities capable of integrating advanced technologies in both private and public sectors.
He emphasized that the UAE approaches AI comprehensively, encompassing technology, regulations, policies, and governance, with human resources remaining central to the process; the aim is to empower human competencies, not to replace them.
He stated that increasing community understanding of AI and its applications would diminish associated concerns.
AI is viewed not as a job threat but as a tool to create new job opportunities, enhance productivity, and enable individuals.
The next phase requires focusing on community awareness and training national talent on the responsible and effective use of AI across various fields.
Future Objectives
In the Abu Dhabi session, Dr. Khaled Al Naqbi, an alumnus of the UAE Experts Program, remarked that the program extends beyond being merely an academic route or an added credential; it is a multidimensional national initiative launched to create specialized layers of experts in various strategic sectors that support the country’s economy and future goals.
He explained that the program fits within a comprehensive vision that anticipates the future, contributing to the fulfillment of long-term strategies, including the UAE Centennial 2071 and the Sustainable Development Goals 2031, while being closely monitored by specialized teams dedicated to developing national competencies according to the highest global standards.
He added that the new version of the program includes the AI pathway, which is currently accepting applications, reflecting leadership recognition of the crucial role of advanced technology and AI moving forward.
Today, cultivating a layer of experts in this field is not merely an option but a national necessity to keep pace with rapid global transformations.
He noted that the UAE has been proactive in investing in human capital by providing quality programs that support building specialized expertise and accelerate national empowerment, affirming that focusing on individuals is the essence of the country’s developmental vision.
He pointed out that the application process for the program is straightforward and conducted via the official UAE Experts Program website, involving several phases, including initial evaluation, interviews, and the presentation of a capstone project, to ensure the selection of the best talents capable of making a genuine impact in their sectors.
He concluded by highlighting that participating in the UAE Experts Program is a national responsibility before being a career opportunity, urging selected individuals to embrace the seriousness of the experience, not just to gain knowledge but to build a robust professional network that contributes to the service of the country and enhances its competitiveness across various domains.
Strategic Step
Dr. Huda Al Khamisi, another spokesperson for the program, stated that the launch of the UAE Experts Program – AI pathway marks a significant strategic initiative aimed at building national economic expertise in AI and enhancing human capital in one of the most impactful future sectors for the UAE’s competitiveness.
She noted that the platform was inaugurated in two key locations in the country: the Emirates Towers in Dubai and Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence, reflecting integration between academic institutions and strategic sectors in supporting national directions in this vital area.
She stated that the primary goal of the AI pathway is to focus on building national economic and strategic expertise primarily centered on AI, contributing to the creation of human capital capable of turning knowledge into sustainable economic value across various sectors.
Additionally, the program is organized around six to seven specialized educational tracks, alongside five main activation areas that include strategic projects, mentorship programs, and global knowledge exchange schemes, ensuring the transfer of best international practices to the national environment.
Participants in the program will tackle real economic and strategic challenges pertinent to their industries through the development of practical AI projects, ensuring solutions are designed with a clear economic and social return that aligns with the UAE’s national priorities.
She emphasized that the focus is not solely on technical aspects but extends to building an integrated system that links scientific research, innovation, and practical applications, enhancing the UAE’s status as a global AI hub.
She concluded her remarks by underscoring that the program serves as a national platform for preparing future leaders in AI, emphasizing that investing in national minds is fundamental to achieving sustainable economic transformation and establishing the UAE’s leadership in advanced sectors.
Significant Development
Eman Ali Al Maghiri, Head of National Development Programs at Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence, stated that the current version of the UAE Experts Program – AI pathway represents a qualitative evolution from previous iterations, as it directly focuses on preparing national leaders in AI and enhancing their capability to implement AI technologies across different sectors to serve national priorities.
She explained that the new pathway goes beyond understanding technical applications to designing strategic projects and implementing clear mechanics that improve performance efficiency and enhance output quality at the national level, keeping pace with the rapid digital transformations the country is experiencing.
She stated that the foundational version of the program concentrated on AI applications across multiple fields, whereas the current pathway emphasizes AI leadership and empowers leaders to adopt advanced solutions and create practical initiatives that make a tangible impact in their respective sectors.
The program’s enhancement aligns with the leadership’s priorities and the rapid digital transformations that have accelerated significantly between 2019 and 2025, necessitating a redesign of the educational experience to be more specialized and profound to meet the demands of the upcoming phase.
She detailed that the new pathway offers participants a distinct experience through deepening specialization in AI fields, linking theoretical knowledge to practical application, thereby preparing national talents to lead digital transformation projects efficiently.
She concluded by reiterating that the program reflects the state’s commitment to keeping pace with the rapid developments in digital leadership while building a leadership system capable of leveraging AI technologies to achieve sustainable national value.
Central Importance
It is worth noting that the UAE Experts Program was launched in 2019 in alignment with the strategic priorities of the country, aimed at preparing a national cadre of Emirati leaders in this field.
Discussions held during both events underscored the central importance of the pathway in cultivating Emirati expertise capable of deploying AI in priority sectors, including sustainability, healthcare, education, transportation, and other vital areas.
Participants also addressed the necessity of aligning technical depth with clear regulatory frameworks and achieving sustainable institutional impact.
The sessions reviewed the program’s overall framework, including its cohorts, the seven units, as well as its mentorship model, international visits, and culminating capstone projects.
Speakers at the Dubai session included Khaled Al Nuaimi and Mohammed Al Qubaisi, a committee member of the UAE Experts Program, while in Abu Dhabi, participants included Dr. Khaled Al Naqbi, Dr. Huda Al Khamisi, and Eman Al Maghiri, all alumni of the UAE Experts Program representing various sectors in the country.
The speakers highlighted that receiving over 600 applications for the UAE Experts Program – AI pathway within just two weeks reflects a growing interest among Emirati talents working in the AI domain.