Abu Dhabi, UAE — The United Arab Emirates is accelerating its transformation into a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) through strategic investments in education, government innovation, and international partnerships.
AI Fellowship Programs for Government Leaders
The UAE has launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Government Fellowships, a flagship initiative aimed at training the next generation of government leaders. This program offers specialized master’s degrees in Economic Strategies and International Policy and Artificial Intelligence for the Government Sector, in collaboration with prestigious institutions such as Oxford University, MIT, Georgetown University, New York University, and Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
These fellowships are designed to equip Emirati public sector professionals with advanced skills in economic policymaking, digital transformation, and AI integration, aligning with the UAE’s long-term vision for governance.
Abu Dhabi’s Vision for an AI-Native Government
Abu Dhabi is set to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027, backed by a $3.5 billion investment. The Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027 outlines plans to integrate AI across all public sectors, including the implementation of over 200 AI solutions, 100% sovereign cloud adoption, and data-driven decision-making frameworks.
This ambitious plan aims to enhance public service delivery, improve efficiency, and create a proactive, agile, and fully technology-enabled government.
International Collaborations and Investments
The UAE is fostering international partnerships to bolster its AI capabilities. Notably, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss advancing AI collaboration, focusing on AI research and practical applications.
Additionally, the UAE has established MGX Fund Management Limited, a state-owned investment firm dedicated to AI technologies, with a target of managing $100 billion in assets.
Impact on Emirati Employment and Skills
As part of its Emiratization strategy, the UAE has launched AI-powered platforms like Massar Al Ghurair and the Emirati Smart Human Resource Platform to enhance Emirati employment and skills development. These platforms utilize AI-based job matching, skill mapping, and personalized training paths to facilitate efficient hiring and workforce development.