The UAE has unveiled an ambitious plan to impart AI knowledge to over one million residents within the next three years — what Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan Al Olama described as "perhaps the world's first major drive to make residents AI-ready."
UAE's AI Training Plan: A Million-Person Mission
Speaking at a retreat held at the Museum of the Future, Al Olama outlined a phased strategy to build a more robust AI industry across the country. The plan centres on establishing a dedicated AI campus and tailored workshops designed for companies, professionals, and other interested participants.
AI-centric workshops have already begun at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). "Ladies and gentlemen, what you are going to witness right now is phase one," Al Olama told attendees.
Sheikh Hamdan Backs the Initiative
Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has also announced plans to train one million people in how to harness and apply AI technologies within three years of the programme's launch. The initiative reflects Dubai's broader strategy to cement its status as a leading global innovation hub.
22 Chief AI Officers Appointed Across Dubai Government
To support the AI campus rollout, 22 Chief AI Officers were appointed across different Dubai government departments, assuming their roles that same Tuesday. These officers are responsible for implementing artificial intelligence across departments spanning community development, human resources, customs, policing, and civil aviation, among others.
"These officers had to engage in an exercise of assessing AI deployment potential and weaknesses familiarization," Al Olama explained. "We want to make sure that having the vision, every adviser in every government department is well equipped to make that vision a reality."
AI as a Necessity, Not a Luxury
The UAE has consistently treated AI adoption as an imperative rather than a choice. In healthcare, for example, AI is already being applied to boost emergency management and improve patient treatment outcomes.
"Today, our governments must ensure that their services, capabilities and workforce are the best," Al Olama said. "There is no better place that I know that does not wait for change to happen but rather leads change — in Dubai."
