His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, has launched the “Dubai AI Academy” during Dubai AI Week, intending to train 10,000 emerging leaders and pioneers in key AI skills, in collaboration with leading academic and training institutions.
His Highness affirmed that “Dubai will be the top destination for anyone aiming to lead the future of AI,” highlighting the emirate’s commitment to supporting impactful initiatives that accelerate economic growth and enhance the performance of various sectors through AI applications.
The launch ceremony was attended by His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Arif Amiri, CEO of Dubai International Financial Centre Authority.
The establishment of the Academy marks a key milestone in doubling the contribution of AI to Dubai’s and the UAE’s GDP. Supervised by the “Dubai AI Campus” based in the Innovation Hub at DIFC and supported by the DIFC Academy, the Academy will focus on spreading AI knowledge and expanding the talent pool capable of adopting and applying AI technologies across future sectors.
The Academy will offer specialized training programs and accredited certifications tailored for government and private sector employees, equipping them to understand, implement, and strategically deploy AI solutions while maintaining ethical standards.
It will also launch pioneering programs such as “AI for Civil Service” in collaboration with Udacity and “Leadership in the Age of AI” in partnership with the Minerva Project, alongside a collaboration with Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford to nurture future leadership.