The American University of Sharjah (AUS) has officially partnered with the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office. This collaboration aims to launch the 'Digital Talents in Sharjah' initiative. The initiative is designed to foster and develop digital and AI talent within the Emirate of Sharjah's ecosystem. Why it matters: This partnership underscores the UAE's strategic commitment to building local AI capabilities and a skilled workforce through collaboration between academic institutions and national government bodies.
MBZUAI and AWS have announced a multi-year collaboration to advance AI research, enhance technical skills, and accelerate startup growth in the UAE and wider region. AWS will provide cloud services, mentorship, and access to public datasets, while MBZUAI will contribute faculty expertise and lab capacity. The collaboration includes a strategic research program and the launch of GenAI Academy to develop hackathons for MBZUAI students. Why it matters: This partnership strengthens the UAE's AI ecosystem by bridging academic research with industry application and fostering AI talent development.
The National Experts Program in the UAE has announced the names of 32 Emirati professionals selected as future leaders in artificial intelligence. These individuals will participate in a specialized program designed to enhance their skills and leadership capabilities in the AI domain. The initiative aims to empower local talent to drive national AI strategies and contribute to the UAE's technological advancement. Why it matters: This program signifies a strategic investment by the UAE government in developing national human capital to lead its AI ecosystem and ensure local expertise in a critical sector.
The UAE's National Program for Artificial Intelligence (NEP-AI) has announced that 135 finalists have been shortlisted for its latest initiative. These finalists represent talent drawn from all seven emirates, highlighting a nationwide participation in the program. This shortlisting is a key step towards developing local AI capabilities and fostering innovation across the country. Why it matters: This initiative is crucial for building a robust domestic AI ecosystem and positioning the UAE as a leader in AI talent development in the region.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been ranked among the top 20 nations globally for AI talent density, according to the Tortoise Global AI Index 2024. The index assesses countries based on investment, innovation, and implementation of AI. The UAE led the Middle East region, followed by Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: This ranking highlights the growing focus and investment in AI talent development within the Gulf region, positioning the countries as emerging AI hubs.
KAUST showcased its AI initiatives at the 2022 Global AI Summit in Riyadh, highlighting its efforts to increase AI capacity and innovation in Saudi Arabia. Jurgen Schmidhuber, Director of the KAUST AI Initiative, addressed attendees on AI and deep learning, while Provost Lawrence Carin and Deputy Director Bernard Ghanem discussed AI talent development. KAUST is partnering with public and private sector institutions to embed AI in key areas such as security, energy, data analytics, and health. Why it matters: This participation reinforces KAUST's central role in advancing AI research and development within the Kingdom and aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader vision for technological leadership.
Sultan Al Mansoori (Mubadala) and Hind Almarzooqi (Abu Dhabi Pension Fund), professionals in the UAE, are part of the inaugural cohort of the Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence (MAAI) program at MBZUAI. They aim to leverage AI for national priorities and establish Abu Dhabi as a global AI hub. The program focuses on practical AI application and addresses a critical skills gap between AI innovation and real-world implementation. Why it matters: This highlights the UAE's strategic investment in AI talent development and its ambition to lead in AI application across various sectors.
MBZUAI held its Class of 2023 commencement ceremony, graduating 59 students with master's degrees in CV, ML, and NLP. The ceremony was attended by UAE officials including Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber. Dr. Al Jaber emphasized AI's role in addressing global challenges and supporting the UAE's economic diversification and sustainability goals. Why it matters: The graduation highlights the UAE's ongoing investment in AI talent development and its focus on leveraging AI to address critical challenges in climate, healthcare, and education.