# Dubai Launches One Million AI Prompters Program
Dubai is positioning itself as the world's leading city for artificial intelligence. The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has unveiled a plan to train one million people in AI prompt engineering within the next three years — the first initiative of its kind anywhere in the world.
What Is the One Million Prompters Initiative?
The 'One Million AI Prompters' program aims to equip a million individuals — both technical and non-technical — with the skills to use generative AI effectively through prompt engineering. Prompt engineering is the practice of crafting precise instructions that guide AI systems to produce accurate, useful outputs.
Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the DFF Board of Trustees, launched the initiative to build a future-ready workforce aligned with Dubai's ambitions as a global technology hub.
UAE's Vision: 40% of GDP from AI by 2031
The One Million Prompters program sits at the heart of a broader national strategy. The UAE plans to shift from an oil-based economy to one powered by artificial intelligence, targeting 40% of its GDP from AI by 2031. That ambition comes with concrete commitments: the country created the world's first Minister of State for AI position and has actively cultivated an environment that supports both startups and research scientists.
UAE Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, Omar Al Olama, explained the inclusive vision behind the initiative:
> "That is why we need to present simply all AI solutions: for technical or non-technical people — everyone may use it."
Global Prompt Engineering Championship Draws 100+ Countries
To kick off the initiative, Dubai hosted the first-ever Global Prompt Engineering Championship — the world's largest AI prompt engineering competition. Thousands of entries arrived from more than 100 countries, with 30 finalists from 13 nations competing across three categories: Coding, Art, and Literature.
The winners were:
- Megan Fowkes (Australia) — Art category, prize: AUD 33,000 - Ajay Cyril (India) — Coding category, prize: USD 60,000 - Aditya Nair (India) — Literature category, prize: USD 37,500
Microsoft, Google, and IBM Back UAE's AI Push
Dubai's AI ambitions are attracting serious international investment. Microsoft, Google, and IBM are all engaging with the UAE on AI development, drawn by its strategic location and government commitment to the sector. Microsoft's recent USD 1.5 billion investment in G42 — a UAE-based artificial intelligence firm — is a clear signal that the Gulf state is emerging as one of the world's most attractive destinations for AI development.
With the One Million Prompters initiative, Dubai is not simply adapting to the AI era. It is building the workforce that will define it.
