Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The UAE is building a robust pipeline of artificial intelligence opportunities by nurturing homegrown talent poised to drive the country’s tech-powered industries into the future. Experts say partnerships between industry and academia are key to fast-tracking the development of real-world skills needed to keep pace with rapid technological change.
AI is embedded in the country’s education system: It is being taught in classrooms from kindergarten to grade 12, while universities offer programmes designed to prepare the next generation of innovators.. Policies further promote hands-on readiness through internships, apprenticeships, and applied research initiatives.
At the same time, the country is attracting top AI talent from around the world through initiatives like its Golden Visa scheme and supportive innovation ecosystems such as Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, strengthening its position as a global centre for technology and research.
The UAE’s AI journey is marked by solid strategy and a proactive approach, said Dr Imran Zualkernan, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the American University of Sharjah.
“The UAE has long recognised that artificial intelligence (AI) will shape the future of every major sector,” he said, pointing to national frameworks such as the UAE Vision 2031 and the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.
These frameworks, Dr Zualkernan argued, demonstrate “the nation’s commitment to developing AI talent and integrating intelligent systems across industries”.
With its forward-looking vision and a coordinated national strategy, the country serves as a model for the wider region, which is facing a widening skills gap, experts said.
Yousef Barkawie, Partner in Engineering, AI and Data at Deloitte Middle East, pointed out that the Middle East as a whole is at a “defining moment in its AI journey”.
“Demand for AI-driven solutions is growing rapidly across every sector, yet the supply of skilled engineers and data scientists has not kept pace. This skills gap is one of the biggest barriers to unlocking the region’s digital potential.”
The UAE has already taken bold steps to address this challenge, Barkawie said. “The introduction of an AI curriculum in public schools this year, along with major universities now offering AI as a major, reflects a long-term vision to prepare students for the digital economy,” he added.
Dr Zualkernan underscored that incorporating AI early in students’ journey early builds the foundation for advanced study and innovation.
“At the university level, institutions like American University of Sharjah (AUS) are playing a vital role in shaping the next generation of AI and data professionals.”
The new curricula at the AUS College of Engineering combine AI, data analytics, entrepreneurship, and sustainability with internships, labs, and applied problem-solving, he said.
New graduate programmes, such as Master of Science in Machine Learning, are designed to accelerate research and bolster workforce readiness, Dr Zualkernan added.
Beyond classrooms, bridging the skills gap requires strong collaboration between education and industry, Barkawie said.
“It is about linking what is taught in classrooms with the skills businesses need on the ground. Internships, apprenticeships, and applied research are powerful ways to give students practical exposure, while creating pathways for employers to access fresh talent,” he said.
Damilola Ojo, Senior Managing Director and Head of AI Center of Excellence ME at FTI Delta, said the UAE’s progress in AI has been remarkable and long-term sustainability will depend on building homegrown capability.
“[This involves] nurturing key talent like data engineers, data scientists, ML engineers, prompt engineers, and AI governance specialists who design, deploy, and secure solutions relevant to the region,” Ojo said.
He agreed that education and industry must work hand in hand through structured apprenticeships and internships.
The ultimate goal, he stressed, is to create “a sustainable talent ecosystem powered in the region, for the region”.
Industry leaders see immense opportunity as the region stands at the forefront of digital tranformation.
“With AI and cloud at the heart of government and enterprise agendas … leaders are looking to move from experimentation to large-scale execution,” said Abdullah Tamer, Partner at PwC Middle East.
Mohamed Nsouli, Regional Manager at Dell Technologies, said that as the UAE builds one of the most dynamic smart hubs in the world, innovation stands on five tracks: AI acceleration, data centre modernisation, multi-cloud enablement, cyber resilience, and end-to-end sustainability.
Tamer agreed that AI, cloud, and data form “the defining force” of digital transformation. However, the focus is bound shift to “integration, interoperability, and trusted governance”.
