AI Leadership Programme for Emirati Professionals Launched in the UAE

A new cohort of Emirati professionals is being selected this month for the National Experts Programme – AI Track, a leadership initiative designed to develop artificial intelligence expertise and support implementation of the UAE National AI Strategy 2031.

The programme draws participants from 25 priority sectors and combines training in AI systems, governance and leadership with mentorship opportunities, international study visits and capstone projects focused on national challenges.

According to programme organisers, the initiative is intended to support five key objectives: strengthening the UAE's position as a global AI hub, increasing competitiveness across priority sectors through applied AI, accelerating adoption of AI in government services, developing Emirati talent for AI-enabled roles, and linking research, data and infrastructure to practical implementation.

The curriculum covers topics including agentic AI, AI governance, data economy and monetisation models, AI cybersecurity, model protection, and the application of AI across society and national development.

The programme launch comes as efforts continue to expand the use of artificial intelligence across government and economic sectors. Organisers noted that agentic AI systems, which are capable of independently executing tasks and managing complex processes, form a key part of the curriculum.

Participants were selected through a competitive process that included interviews conducted by subject-matter experts, National Experts Programme Fellows and programme alumni.

According to the organisers, candidate assessments demonstrated strong awareness of the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 and the growing importance of institutional implementation of AI technologies across sectors.