UAE Government Deploys AI Training Programme to Build Domestic Expertise
Government convenes 32 experts for structured AI curriculum to build sovereign technical capacity
UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan Al Olama launched the first technical phase of the National Experts Programme’s AI Track (NEP-AI), convening 32 Emirati experts for a structured curriculum titled “AI Foundations and the AI Stack.” The initiative marks a deliberate policy move by the UAE government to build domestic, sovereign expertise in artificial intelligence across both technical and strategic domains.
Al Olama framed the programme as essential to the nation’s long-term technological standing. Investing in national talent, he said, is fundamental to strengthening the UAE’s leadership in artificial intelligence and building a future-ready economy. As AI continues to reshape industries and societies, developing highly skilled national talent with both technical expertise and strategic insight has become a national priority, ensuring the UAE remains at the forefront of technological advancement.
Additional reference context is available at https://techafricanews.com/2026/07/22/uae-launches-first-ai-learning-module-for-national-experts-programme/.
The minister added that the AI Track within the UAE Experts Programme reflects the country’s commitment to developing world-class AI capabilities and empowering Emirati experts to lead the next wave of innovation. By equipping participants with the knowledge and leadership skills needed to drive AI adoption across sectors, the programme will enhance future policies, accelerate high-impact initiatives, and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, His Excellency Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, offered a sharper geopolitical framing. Sharaf characterized artificial intelligence as having redefined the foundations of the global order, evolving beyond a component of technological advancement to become a strategic pillar for strengthening economic competitiveness, national resilience, international cooperation, and global influence. The UAE’s strategic approach to AI, he said, underpinned by strong national support and robust strategic partnerships, reflects the nation’s position as a leading global partner in AI and technological innovation.
The curriculum itself moves well beyond the use of AI applications. The first module examines how AI systems are built, trained, deployed, and scaled in real-world environments. A central focus is AI compute, the processing power that enables artificial intelligence. Participants will study specialized chips, including Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), alongside the energy requirements and global supply chains that support AI development. The aim is to give participants a grounded understanding of both the opportunities and practical limitations of modern AI systems.
The programme also addresses the infrastructure behind AI, from data architecture and model development to deployment within organizations. Data quality, structure, governance, and availability all factor into the curriculum as variables that directly influence AI performance.
Site visits form a practical component of the module. At ADIA Lab, Director Dr. Horst Simon and ADIA Lab scientists will discuss the role of compute as a strategic resource for AI innovation and introduce participants to the Lab’s research and contributions to advancing AI. At the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), Chief Executive Officer Dr. Najwa Aaraj will lead a panel discussion titled “Building the UAE’s AI Stack: From National Strategy to Real Infrastructure,” exploring the foundations required to build sovereign AI capabilities.
Participants will apply what they learn to a Capstone Project addressing real organizational and national challenges. Each project is designed to translate technical knowledge into practical AI solutions with measurable impact, directly supporting the UAE’s broader AI ambitions. This first module is also intended to establish a common technical language across the cohort, laying the groundwork for subsequent modules focused on leadership, strategy, and innovation.
Whether the programme’s Capstone Projects will feed directly into government policy decisions or regulatory frameworks remains the open question as the NEP-AI track moves forward.
Q&A
Who launched the National Experts Programme's AI Track and what is its stated purpose?
UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan Al Olama launched the NEP-AI track to build domestic, sovereign expertise in artificial intelligence across technical and strategic domains, framing it as essential to the nation's long-term technological standing and leadership.
What are the core components of the AI Foundations curriculum?
The curriculum covers how AI systems are built, trained, deployed, and scaled; AI compute and specialized chips (GPUs); energy requirements and global supply chains; data architecture, quality, governance, and availability; and infrastructure for model development and organizational deployment.
What role do site visits play in the programme, and which institutions are involved?
Site visits provide practical exposure to sovereign AI infrastructure. ADIA Lab's Director Dr. Horst Simon will discuss compute as a strategic resource, and Technology Innovation Institute CEO Dr. Najwa Aaraj will lead a panel on building the UAE's AI Stack from national strategy to real infrastructure.
What remains unresolved regarding the programme's integration with government decision-making?
Whether the programme's Capstone Projects will feed directly into government policy decisions or regulatory frameworks remains an open question as the NEP-AI track moves forward.