MBZUAI, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi School of Government, held an ‘AI for Leadership’ training course for government sector leaders. The four-day course was designed by AI experts at MBZUAI to equip leaders with the knowledge to leverage AI applications. The course supports the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and aims to diversify the economy and improve government services. Why it matters: The initiative reflects the UAE's commitment to building a thriving AI ecosystem by empowering government leaders to apply AI in their organizations.
MBZUAI and the Abu Dhabi School of Government (ADSG) signed an MoU at GITEX 2021 to develop AI training programs for UAE leadership. The programs will focus on integrating AI technologies into governance, industry, education, and healthcare. MBZUAI and ADSG will jointly develop training programs and offer seminars/workshops on key AI research areas. Why it matters: This partnership strengthens the UAE's knowledge economy and supports Abu Dhabi's digitalization agenda by enhancing AI expertise in the government sector.
The Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, Mohamed Abdelhameed Al Askar, will give a talk on AI adoption in government. The talk will cover key points related to AI utilization within government organizations. Al Askar has experience managing digital initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi Government Services Program (TAMM). Why it matters: This signals the increasing importance of AI in public sector modernization efforts in the UAE and the broader region.
Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) announced that its Cryptography Research Center (CRC) has developed the UAE’s first national crypto library. The library is designed to protect sensitive data using custom symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic primitives. It will be integrated into the UAE’s critical digital infrastructure across sectors like finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. Why it matters: This establishes sovereign capability in cryptography and enhances security levels against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks in the UAE.
This study compares AI uptake in the UAE and Kuwait, analyzing how constitutional, collective-choice, and operational rules shape AI implementation and its impact on citizen centricity and public value creation. It finds that the UAE's concentrated authority and pro-innovation environment enable scaling AI initiatives, while Kuwait's dispersed governance and cautious approach limit progress despite similar resources. The research highlights the importance of vertical rule coherence over wealth in determining AI's public-value yield.
MBZUAI is launching a 12-week Executive Program to train UAE government and business leaders on leveraging AI. The program aims to equip decision-makers with skills to shape future industries, aligning with the UAE's AI ambitions. It will feature instruction from professors from Oxford, MIT, and Sinovation Ventures. Why it matters: This program signals the UAE's commitment to developing local AI expertise among leadership and realizing its economic goals in the sector.
A delegation from the Abu Dhabi Executive Office (ADEO) Education Affairs Department visited MBZUAI on December 15, 2021. Ian Mathews, VP of Corporate Services, presented MBZUAI's progress and 2022 initiatives. Discussions covered the importance of collaboration and recruitment enhancements with ADEO's support. Why it matters: This visit highlights the ongoing relationship between MBZUAI and key Abu Dhabi government entities, signaling continued support for the university's AI initiatives.