The Artificial Intelligence Office of the UAE Government and Mawaheb Talent Hub, part of the Department of Government Enablement - Abu Dhabi (DGE), launched the Abu Dhabi Digital Talent initiative this week, an eight-week intensive programme built around a strategic partnership between government and some of the world’s largest technology companies. The design is straightforward: build young people’s digital skills, tighten the link between academia and the evolving needs of the workforce market, and prepare a generation of talent able to keep pace with rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence.
The course combines hands-on training, specialised learning and professional development. Delivery rests on a roster of corporate partners: Mawaheb Talent Hub, QudraTech, Inception42, Intel, Oracle and upGrad, giving participants direct access to the expertise of leading global technology organisations. Three specialised learning tracks run through a mix of in-person and virtual sessions, so that skills can be applied in real-world working environments.
The private-sector role is central to the model. By transferring knowledge and expertise directly to young talent, corporate partners connect participants with the latest tools, technologies and professional practices, helping them understand the requirements of the technology sector and develop skills aligned with the emerging roles and specialisations created by digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to invest in talent, build future capabilities and establish a sustainable ecosystem for identifying and developing digital talent in Abu Dhabi. Its stated aim is to equip young people with the knowledge, technical skills and practical experience needed to contribute effectively to the knowledge economy and to the development of future solutions and innovations.
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, affirmed that investing in people remains the UAE leadership’s first and most important priority in shaping its future. He said the leadership has made empowering national talent, nurturing exceptional minds and building capabilities a cornerstone of the country’s approach to future readiness, stressing that the UAE’s ambition extends beyond adapting to technological change to developing national capabilities that can lead it and turn emerging opportunities into tangible economic and developmental impact.
“Guided by the vision of its leadership, the UAE seeks to develop generations capable of leading the future and creating its opportunities, while strengthening the country’s position as a global destination for talent and expertise,” he said. “The ‘Abu Dhabi Digital Talent’ initiative builds on national efforts to develop a broad ecosystem of digital capabilities and establish a model that connects education, training, and leading technology companies, ensuring that national skills remain aligned with the rapid evolution of technology and the new opportunities it creates.”
His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Al Shimmari, Executive Director of the National Workforce Enablement Sector at DGE, said developing the digital skills of Emirati talent is a key priority in strengthening their readiness for the rapidly evolving demands of the workforce market and enhancing their competitiveness across future-focused sectors.
“Through Mawaheb Talent Hub, we are building pathways that connect skills development with real labour market opportunities, equipping Emirati talent with the practical experience and digital capabilities needed to compete and succeed in the jobs of the future,” he said. “The ‘Abu Dhabi Digital Talent’ initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between government, the private sector, and academic institutions in preparing a generation capable of actively contributing to Abu Dhabi’s digital economy and shaping its future.”
Meanwhile, the launch builds on the wider Digital Talent initiative, which has previously run similar cohorts in Dubai and Sharjah, extending training and professional development opportunities to young people across the UAE and supporting a nationwide ecosystem for digital talent. The Abu Dhabi programme is described in detail in the official announcement published at https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/technology/artificial-intelligence-office-and-mawaheb-talent-hub-launch-abu-dhabi-digital-talent-initiative-to-develop-next-generation-of-technology-leaders/.
The initiative aims to establish a sustainable bridge between universities, the workforce market and leading global technology companies. Beyond technical skills, its impact is intended to foster a digital mindset centred on continuous learning, adaptability and opportunity creation, preparing a generation equipped with the knowledge, experience and confidence to help shape the future of the UAE’s digital and technology sectors. Whether the Abu Dhabi cohort can convert that training pipeline into measurable gains for the emirate’s digital economy will be the test of the model as it scales.