UAE GenAI enrollments surge 344%, outpacing MENA and global AI growth

The UAE is accelerating its adoption of Generative AI and digital-skills development at a rapid pace, driven by a strong national strategy and ambitious workforce goals. New data from the Coursera Global Skills Report 2025 show a striking 344% year-over-year surge in Generative AI enrollments in the United Arab Emirates, significantly higher than the MENA regional average of 128% and the global average of 195%. This momentum underscores the UAE’s ongoing push to build a knowledge-based economy powered by Emirati talent, aligned with the broader national vision of We the UAE 2031. The report also highlights a robust emphasis from employers on technology literacy, AI, and big data skills, alongside a notable rise in professional credentials and targeted cybersecurity training, signaling a shift toward job-relevant, tech-focused competencies. Against this backdrop, the UAE is introducing new measures to assess AI readiness and to scale its AI ecosystems, while simultaneously confronting persistent gender gaps and skills shortages as part of a broader regional challenge. This article provides a comprehensive, in-depth look at the findings, implications for policy and industry, and the strategic actions shaping the UAE’s path toward AI maturity and workforce transformation.

GenAI enrollment surge and what it signals for the UAE’s talent strategy

The 344% year-over-year increase in Generative AI enrollments in the UAE stands as a clear indicator of both demand and readiness within the nation’s labor market for cutting-edge AI capabilities. This hyper-growth sits well above regional and global benchmarks, illustrating a distinctive alignment between the country’s strategic priorities and the interests and needs of workers seeking to upskill in AI-driven fields. The acceleration in GenAI learning is not an isolated phenomenon; it forms part of a broader pattern in which organizations, educational institutions, and individual learners converge around advanced technologies to support transformation initiatives across industries, from public services to financial technology, healthcare to energy, and beyond.

In analyzing this trend, several key drivers emerge. First, national policymakers have emphasized a knowledge-based development model, encouraging both public and private sector actors to invest in AI literacy as a core economic driver. Second, employers across the UAE report prioritizing technology literacy, AI, and big data skills, signaling that the labor market is actively rewarding AI competency and related analytical capabilities. Third, the rapid uptake of GenAI courses reflects a strategic bet on early-adopter skill-building that can reduce time-to-competency for AI-driven workflows, enabling more efficient automation, decision-making, and innovation. Finally, the surge aligns with the broader objective of building Emirati talent capable of steering digital transformation across sectors, reducing dependency on external talent pools, and fostering homegrown innovation ecosystems.

The implications for workforce planning are multifaceted. Organizations are increasingly integrating AI literacy into onboarding, continuing education, and talent management pipelines. Educational providers and platforms are adjusting their course catalogues to prioritize GenAI-focused pathways, along with complementary fields such as data science, machine learning, and cybersecurity. This shift supports a growing demand for short-form, job-relevant credentials that can be rapidly translated into the workplace, while also sustaining longer-term degree programs for deeper specialization. For learners, the GenAI surge represents an opportunity to develop practical capabilities in prompt engineering, model evaluation, data governance, and responsible AI practices, all of which are critical in an era where AI systems increasingly influence business outcomes.

To deepen understanding of the UAE’s GenAI momentum, it is important to situate the phenomenon within the Coursera Global Skills Report 2025 framework. The report analyzes skill trends and learner behavior across more than 100 countries, providing a comparative lens for assessing national readiness and workforce development progress. In this context, the UAE’s GenAI growth is a leading indicator of how national strategies, employer demand, and learner engagement converge to generate measurable upskilling outcomes. The 2025 study also sheds light on the broader movement toward professional certificate enrollments, where the UAE saw a 41% rise, signaling a strong appetite for credentials that signal verifiable competencies in high-demand areas.

Moreover, the report highlights a specific uptick in cybersecurity courses, with a 14% increase within professional certificates. This trend underscores the recognition that AI-enabled systems introduce new risk profiles and require robust security competencies to protect data, infrastructure, and services. As AI adoption scales, the intersection of AI literacy and cybersecurity becomes increasingly central to enterprise resilience and trust in digital systems. The UAE’s embrace of such credentials suggests a holistic approach to AI readiness that includes not only how to build AI solutions but also how to safeguard them in real-world deployments.

Looking ahead, the GenAI enrollment surge is likely to influence several dimensions of policy and practice. At the policy level, it reinforces the case for sustained investment in AI education, incentivizing public-private partnerships to expand access to GenAI training and to ensure that curricula stay aligned with industry needs. At the organizational level, companies may expand reskilling programs, implement AI-focused talent pipelines, and embed continuous learning as a core competency for teams working on innovation initiatives. At the individual level, workers can leverage GenAI-focused credentials to demonstrate practical competencies, potentially improving employability and progression in AI-enabled roles.

The UAE’s broader strategy for AI and digital skills is evident in the emphasis on “future-ready talent.” The data suggest that many employers recognize the value of a workforce capable of understanding, designing, deploying, and managing AI-enabled systems. This recognition translates into concrete actions—ranging from upskilling campaigns and targeted professional certificates to the design of new career pathways and incentives to encourage lifelong learning. Together, these actions form a comprehensive talent architecture intended to sustain the nation’s competitiveness in a rapidly evolving AI-driven economy.

The AI Maturity Index: measuring national readiness and UAE’s leadership in the Arab world

A notable feature introduced in this year’s study is the AI Maturity Index, designed to evaluate national readiness for AI by synthesizing learner engagement data with macro indicators from international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the OECD. The inclusion of this index signals an evolving approach to understanding AI capacity that integrates both micro-level learning activity and macro-level policy and economic context. The UAE’s placement at the top of the Arab world and 32nd globally out of 109 countries underscores a strong performance on this composite measure, reflecting effective alignment between education, policy, and industry demand.

The UAE’s standing on the AI Maturity Index is buttressed by several national initiatives and structural features. First, there is a deliberate strategy to weave AI into public school curricula, ensuring that younger generations encounter AI concepts, tools, and ethics early in their education. This early exposure is intended to cultivate digital fluency, critical thinking, and an appreciation for responsible AI development as lifelong competencies. Second, the plan to establish a 5GW AI Campus signals an audacious infrastructure investment designed to accelerate research, innovation, and skilled-labor supply for AI ecosystems. Third, this readiness is complemented by the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to channel AI contributions into the non-oil sector, boosting productivity and diversifying the economy.

The UAE’s measured progress on the AI Maturity Index reflects a confluence of policy and practice. The national AI strategy envisions AI as a driver of sustainable growth and diversification, with explicit targets for contributing to over 20% of non-oil GDP by 2031. Achieving such a milestone requires coordinated efforts across education, industry, research institutions, and government agencies. The AI Campus, once realized, could function as an anchor institution for talent development, experimentation, and industry collaboration, reinforcing the country’s capability to attract and retain top AI researchers and practitioners. In addition, the integration of AI into the school curricula will serve as a pipeline mechanism to sustain a steady stream of AI-literate graduates who can contribute to enterprise digital transformation and public sector modernization.

Kais Zribi, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Coursera, emphasized that the UAE is rapidly scaling AI learning and infrastructure to drive workforce transformation and regional innovation. He highlighted that the country’s strong AI Maturity Index performance, together with high overall skills proficiency, demonstrates a growing capacity to close skill gaps, nurture future talent, and lead in AI readiness. This assessment aligns with the broader set of findings indicating that the UAE is not only expanding access to online learning but also translating that learning into tangible improvements in workforce capabilities and national competitiveness. The AI Maturity Index thus serves as a meaningful barometer for policymakers and industry leaders seeking to monitor progress, identify gaps, and calibrate investments to maintain momentum in AI adoption and upskilling.

The UAE’s leadership in AI maturity is not an isolated achievement but part of a strategic narrative that positions the country as a regional hub for AI excellence. This narrative is reinforced by public investments, regulatory readiness, and a culture of experimentation that encourages both public sector innovation and private sector leadership. As more institutions integrate AI into core functions—from education to healthcare to governance—the AI Maturity Index will continue to be a critical tool for benchmarking progress, informing policy adjustments, and guiding resource allocation to maximize impact. The UAE’s example could also serve as a blueprint for other nations in the region seeking to accelerate AI adoption while maintaining a focus on ethical considerations, data governance, and human-centric design.

In sum, the AI Maturity Index provides a rigorous, multi-dimensional lens for assessing national readiness. The UAE’s top standing in the Arab world and its global position highlight a combination of strong learner engagement, strategic investments, and policy frameworks that collectively advance AI readiness. This framework supports the UAE’s ambition to be a principal node in a regional AI ecosystem and a model for holistic, integrated AI development that couples education, industry, and government in pursuit of sustainable, innovation-driven growth.

National initiatives and policy levers fueling AI readiness and digital upskilling

The UAE’s AI and digital-skills momentum rests on a well-orchestrated set of national initiatives designed to accelerate learning, foster innovation, and integrate AI into economic and public-sector decision-making. At the core is the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which articulates a clear ambition: AI should become a central driver of more than 20% of the non-oil GDP by 2031. Achieving this objective requires a systemic effort to align education, industry, and policy with the demands of an AI-enabled economy. The strategy envisions AI-enabled efficiencies, new business models, and enhanced public service delivery, with a focus on maximizing value extraction from AI investments while maintaining robust governance and ethical standards.

A central pillar of the UAE’s AI strategy is the planned 5GW AI Campus. This ambitious infrastructure project is envisioned as a hub for research, talent development, and collaboration among universities, startups, corporates, and government entities. The AI Campus is expected to provide state-of-the-art facilities for AI research across subfields such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics, as well as support for pilot projects that translate theoretical advances into practical deployments. By creating a critical mass of researchers and engineers, the AI Campus would aim to attract international talent, accelerate commercialization of AI solutions, and catalyze knowledge exchange across the region. The campus would also offer educational programs, certification tracks, and industry-specific accelerators that align with market demand, enabling a steady stream of skilled professionals entering the workforce.

In addition to physical infrastructure, the UAE is embedding AI into primary and secondary education as part of a long-term strategy to cultivate digital fluency from an early age. This curricular integration is intended to normalize AI literacy, foster curiosity, and prepare students for the jobs of the future. By exposing students to AI concepts, ethics, and practical applications, the initiative aims to build a generation of workers who can contribute to AI-enabled innovation across sectors. This approach complements tertiary education and vocational training efforts, creating a continuum of learning opportunities that span K-12, higher education, and ongoing professional development.

The policy framework also emphasizes public-private collaboration. The UAE recognizes that robust AI ecosystems require alignment among government agencies, universities, industry players, and startups. Collaborative platforms, joint research programs, and industry-sponsored training are designed to accelerate the transfer of knowledge from academia to the marketplace. Public-sector involvement ensures that AI developments align with national priorities, governance standards, and social objectives, while private-sector participation drives practical problem-solving, product development, and commercialization. The combined effect is to reduce friction in translating research into real-world impact and to widen access to AI-enabled opportunities for a larger portion of the population.

Data governance and ethics constitute another critical dimension of the UAE’s AI strategy. As AI deployment expands, the country emphasizes responsible AI practices, transparency, accountability, and data security. The governance framework supports risk assessment, privacy protection, and the responsible use of AI in public services and private enterprises. By prioritizing ethical considerations and robust governance, the UAE aims to build trust with citizens, businesses, and international partners, which is essential for broad adoption of AI technologies.

Strategic investments in digital infrastructure also underpin the upskilling effort. High-speed connectivity, cloud architectures, and secure data ecosystems are prerequisites for scalable AI training and deployment. The UAE’s approach includes strengthening cyber defense capabilities, ensuring that AI-enabled systems operate within secure and resilient environments. The integration of AI into public school curricula, the expansion of online learning platforms, and the promotion of flexible, accessible learning pathways collectively contribute to a mass upskilling apparatus that supports national competitiveness and innovation.

The economic dimension of AI readiness is complemented by careful workforce planning. The government’s vision recognizes that upskilling the existing labor force must occur alongside cultivating new entrants to AI-related careers. Programs that enable mid-career professionals to transition into AI-focused roles, along with targeted reskilling for those in traditional sectors, are essential components of a balanced, inclusive strategy. Special attention to regional labor market dynamics, demographics, and industry-specific needs helps ensure that training investments translate into meaningful employment opportunities and productivity gains.

Finally, ongoing assessment and iteration are important features of the UAE’s policy approach. The AI Maturity Index, as introduced this year, provides a data-driven mechanism to gauge progress and identify gaps. The index allows policymakers to monitor the effectiveness of initiatives, understand learner engagement patterns, and refine funding and program design accordingly. This iterative approach supports continuous improvement, ensuring that the nation’s AI readiness remains aligned with evolving technological landscapes and economic objectives.

In sum, the UAE’s national initiatives and policy levers create a robust framework for AI readiness and digital upskilling. Through strategic investments in infrastructure, education, governance, and public-private collaboration, the country is building the foundations for a dynamic AI ecosystem that can drive innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth across sectors. The integrated approach—combining curricula reform, infrastructure development, ethical governance, and targeted talent development—positions the UAE to sustain its leadership in AI-enabled transformation and to serve as a regional model for advancing digital skills at scale.

Workforce transformation and credential growth: certificates, cybersecurity, and practical outcomes

A core driver of the UAE’s AI and digital-skills momentum is the surge in professional certificate enrollments, which rose by 41% in the period covered by the report. Within this growth, cybersecurity-focused credentials gained particular traction, recording a 14% increase. This uptick signals rising demand for job-relevant, technology-focused credentials that prepare workers to design, secure, and operate AI-enabled systems. It reflects a broader trend in which organizations prioritize practical, verifiable skills that translate directly into improved security, risk management, and operational resilience as AI and automation become more pervasive in workplaces.

The rise in professional certificates is complemented by an expansion in AI-related learning pathways, including Generative AI, data science, and machine learning. Learners are increasingly pursuing credentials that demonstrate measurable competencies, such as hands-on projects, real-world case studies, and industry-aligned assessments. This credentialing environment provides a structured route for people to upgrade their skills, switch careers, or advance within their current roles, aligning personal development with organizational needs and market demands.

The Coursera report’s scope—covering more than 100 countries—offers a comparative lens for understanding the UAE’s progress in the global context. The UAE’s accelerated enrollment growth in GenAI and the accompanying rise in professional certificates indicate a strong alignment between learner motivation, employer demand, and policy support. This alignment increases the likelihood that upskilling efforts will yield tangible labor-market outcomes, such as higher employability, productivity gains, and more robust innovation pipelines within the private and public sectors.

From an employer perspective, these credential trends suggest several implications. Companies that invest in upskilling and reskilling programs can expect a more agile workforce capable of adapting to AI-enabled workflows, data-driven decision-making, and rapid technological iterations. The emphasis on cybersecurity credentials indicates recognition that robust security practices are foundational to successful AI deployment, including protecting sensitive data, ensuring model integrity, and maintaining customer trust. Employers may also leverage these credentials to design internal talent pipelines, identify high-potential employees, and reward continuous learning as part of performance management and career progression.

For educators and platforms, the certificate growth signals a need to expand and diversify offerings to meet evolving demand. This includes developing practical, application-focused courses that teach learners how to implement AI responsibly, curate data governance frameworks, and assess model performance. It also means building partnerships with industry to ensure curricula remain current with the latest tools, techniques, and regulatory environments. The continued expansion of online learning options, including mobile access, fosters greater inclusivity and enables a broader segment of the population to participate in upskilling opportunities regardless of location or time constraints.

The UAE’s emphasis on professional credentials also intersects with equity and inclusion goals. As digital skills become a central pathway to opportunity, policymakers and educators must address barriers to participation, including gender disparities, access to devices and connectivity, and awareness of credentialing opportunities. Targeted outreach and support programs can help to close participation gaps, ensure that women and underrepresented groups have equitable access to GenAI and cybersecurity training, and promote a more diverse and resilient AI workforce.

In sum, the growth in professional certificates and cybersecurity-focused credentials reflects a deliberate strategy to translate AI learning into practical competencies with real-world impact. By prioritizing job-relevant credentials, the UAE is reinforcing its commitment to workforce transformation, talent development, and a competitive, secure AI-enabled economy. The next phase will likely emphasize scalable delivery models, industry-aligned credential frameworks, and stronger validation of outcomes to ensure that upskilling translates into meaningful career advancement and organizational performance gains.

Subsection: The role of mobile learning and flexible access

The report’s insights into learner behavior reveal that a substantial portion of the MENA learner base engages with content via mobile devices, with 41% of UAE learners accessing material on mobile. This mobility trend underscores the importance of designing learning experiences that are accessible, responsive, and optimized for handheld devices. Mobile-friendly courses, offline access, and short, modular learning units can enhance engagement and completion rates among busy professionals who juggle work, family, and learning goals. For the UAE, this mobile-first orientation aligns with broader digital inclusion goals and expands the reach of upskilling programs to a wider audience, including those in remote or underserved areas.

However, the same data show persistent challenges in workforce readiness. Despite progress, 72% of UAE employers still cite skills gaps as a major barrier, which is higher than the global average. This contrast highlights that while demand is high and engagement is strong, there is a critical need to translate online learning into workplace-ready performance. Addressing this gap requires a multifaceted strategy that combines high-quality content, practical assessments, industry-aligned projects, and employer-led implementation supports such as on-the-job training, mentorship, and performance-ready curricula.

Gender dimensions also play a significant role in the credential landscape. Women account for 32% of online learners in the UAE, but only 24% are enrolled in STEM courses and 21% in GenAI. This indicates an opportunity to intensify outreach and program design to attract more female learners into high-demand STEM and AI pathways. Strategies could include targeted scholarships, mentorship programs, female-led AI initiatives, and partnerships with organizations that support women in technology. Closing the gender gap in AI education is not only a matter of equity; it also enhances the talent pool and contributes to broader economic growth and innovation.

In short, the UAE’s upskilling journey is advancing through a combination of heavy investment in professional credentials, a growing emphasis on cybersecurity, and a mobile-friendly delivery model. Achieving deeper, workplace-ready outcomes will require ongoing collaboration among learners, educators, employers, and policymakers to ensure that learning translates to performance, productivity, and inclusive opportunity across the workforce.

Arab world leadership and regional comparison: AI readiness and skill proficiency profiles

The UAE’s performance on the AI Maturity Index places it at the forefront in the Arab world and within the upper tier globally, illustrating a significant regional leadership position in AI readiness. This ranking is grounded in a blend of learner engagement indicators, policy actions, and macroeconomic signals that collectively demonstrate readiness for AI-driven transformation. The spotlight on the UAE’s Arab-world leadership underscores the country’s role as a regional innovator, model, and potential hub for AI-related investment, research, and collaboration.

Regional context is essential for interpreting this leadership. The Arab world encompasses diverse economies with varying levels of digital infrastructure, educational attainment, and policy maturity. In this landscape, the UAE’s performance translates into tangible advantages in attracting talent, stimulating private investment, and fostering cross-border collaboration in AI initiatives. The country’s focus on integrating AI into public education, building advanced infrastructure like the envisioned AI Campus, and aligning AI strategy with national economic diversification goals reflects a comprehensive approach to regionally anchored, globally competitive AI development.

Global benchmarking further reinforces the UAE’s standing. Placing 32nd worldwide out of 109 countries signals that the UAE’s AI readiness crosses the threshold from mere adoption to systemic integration. This distinction implies not only learning and skill-building at scale but also the capacity to deploy AI solutions across sectors and governance domains with a degree of maturity that supports sustainable outcomes. The UAE’s approach—encompassing education reform, public-sector modernization, and industry collaboration—serves as a potential blueprint for other nations in the region seeking to accelerate AI-enabled growth while maintaining a responsible, inclusive, and ethical framework.

The country’s AI-related initiatives—such as the 5GW AI Campus and the integration of AI into public-school curricula—play a central role in maintaining this leadership. The campus is envisioned as a magnet for talent and a catalyst for innovation, enabling research-to-implementation pathways across academia and industry. AI literacy in schools ensures a pipeline of future professionals who are comfortable with AI concepts, capable of critical thinking about AI ethics, and prepared to contribute to an AI-powered economy. These structural investments are complemented by policy instruments, funding mechanisms, and regulatory considerations that collectively create an enabling environment for AI transformation.

For regional policymakers and stakeholders, the UAE’s achievements highlight the value of combining aggressive infrastructure development with an ambitious education and skills agenda. It demonstrates how targeted investments in AI education, research capacity, and public-sector modernization can yield a compounding effect—accelerating adoption, attracting investment, and driving innovation ecosystems that benefit multiple sectors. The UAE’s experience also emphasizes the importance of national narratives that frame AI maturity as a driver of national prosperity, resilience, and global competitiveness, which can galvanize cross-border collaboration and align diverse stakeholders toward common objectives.

In assessing future prospects, observers may consider how the UAE’s AI readiness trajectory could influence regional policy alignment, talent flows, and technology transfer. As the country continues to scale up its AI ecosystem, it may become an anchor for regional standards, best practices, and collaboration frameworks that support shared growth. The evolving AI Maturity Index will remain a useful instrument for monitoring progress, benchmarking against peers, and identifying opportunities to optimize investments and interventions in education, industry, and governance.

Gender gap, skills gaps, and inclusive growth: persistent challenges in the UAE and the region

Despite notable progress, the UAE faces ongoing challenges related to gender parity, skills shortages, and broader workforce readiness. The country ranks 38th globally in overall skills proficiency across business, technology, and data science, even though it leads the Arab world in this composite measure. This ranking indicates a robust base of capabilities but also signals room for improvement relative to global leaders, especially in technology-focused domains where the gulf between demand and supply can be pronounced in high-growth AI ecosystems.

A detailed look at skill domains reveals nuanced strengths and weaknesses. The UAE demonstrates high proficiency in business skills, with an 85% proficiency rate, indicating strong competencies in areas such as strategic thinking, project management, and commercial acumen. In contrast, data science shows moderate strength at 59%, and technology lags somewhat at 52%. These figures suggest that while business capabilities are comparatively robust, there is still significant opportunity to elevate technical and data-science proficiencies to meet the demands of an AI-driven economy. Addressing these gaps requires targeted strategies that combine curricula enhancements, industry partnerships, and accessible hands-on training in data analytics, programming, and AI development.

Gender dynamics in the UAE’s learning landscape reveal both progress and persistent gaps. Women account for 32% of online learners, but only 24% are enrolled in STEM fields, and 21% participate in GenAI courses. This disparity indicates a critical opportunity to expand female participation in high-demand AI-related domains, which can strengthen the talent pipeline and contribute to more inclusive economic growth. Strategies to address this imbalance might include targeted outreach, scholarships, mentorship networks, and partnerships with organizations focused on women in technology. Ensuring that learning opportunities reach a broader cross-section of society, including women, is not only a matter of equity but also essential for maximizing the nation’s innovation potential and competitiveness in AI-enabled industries.

Regional and national policy design must consider structural barriers such as access to devices, connectivity, and awareness of available upskilling opportunities. The data show that mobile learning is already important in the UAE, with a substantial share of learning conducted via mobile devices. This suggests that delivering accessible, mobile-optimized content is crucial, but it must be complemented by initiatives that address social and cultural factors influencing participation in STEM and AI programs. Initiatives could include workplace-based learning programs, employer-supported training credits, and public campaigns that showcase successful role models and career pathways in AI and related fields.

The persistent skills gap, as reflected in the 72% of UAE employers citing skills gaps, points to a need for more effective translation of online learning into on-the-job performance. Bridging this gap may require enhanced apprenticeship models, project-based learning with real-world outcomes, and closer alignment between training providers and employers’ needs. By focusing on experiential learning, employers can help ensure that learners acquire hands-on competencies, such as deploying AI solutions, evaluating model safety, and integrating AI into business processes. Policymakers can reinforce these efforts by supporting sector-specific upskilling programs, ensuring that training opportunities reflect industry needs, and fostering collaboration among academic institutions, industry associations, and government agencies.

In sum, while the UAE has made substantial progress in GenAI adoption, digital upskilling, and AI readiness, the country must maintain a focused, inclusive strategy to close gender gaps and address persistent skills shortages. The path forward involves targeted interventions to enhance women’s participation in STEM and GenAI, strengthened collaboration with industry to translate learning into tangible job outcomes, and continued investment in data science and technology education. Doing so will help the UAE sustain its leadership in AI readiness while ensuring that growth benefits a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Demographics, access, and engagement: learner profiles and regional patterns

Within the MENA region, 10.8 million learners participate in online education, with the UAE home to approximately 1.3 million learners. The median age of learners in this cohort is 36, reflecting a workforce in mid-career stages who are actively seeking to upskill or reskill for AI and related technologies. This demographic profile highlights both the maturity of the UAE’s learner base and the opportunity to tailor programs to the needs of mid-career professionals who want to pivot toward AI-enabled roles or advance within technical tracks.

Mobile access remains a salient feature of the learning landscape. With 41% of UAE learners engaging content via mobile devices, course designers must prioritize mobile-first experiences that are intuitive, reliable, and capable of delivering complex AI concepts through lightweight interfaces. This trend suggests a broad potential to reach new learners who may have been constrained by time, travel, or access to traditional classroom settings. By leveraging mobile platforms, the UAE can expand its reach across urban and rural areas, enabling more inclusive participation in AI education and digital upskilling.

The learning ecosystem’s growth is accompanied by persistent barriers that hinder workforce readiness. The fact that 72% of UAE employers identify skills gaps as a major barrier indicates a need for more effective translation from online learning to hands-on performance. To address this, programs that incorporate workplace simulations, practical projects, and industry collaborations can help learners apply knowledge directly to job tasks. When learners engage in experiential learning, employers benefit from a more immediately productive workforce that can contribute to AI-driven initiatives, product development, and service optimization.

The gender dimensions of learner demographics reveal opportunities for targeted interventions. With women comprising 32% of online learners, there is potential to broaden female engagement in STEM and GenAI. Initiatives to encourage women’s participation include role-model programs, mentorship networks, and scholarships aimed at reducing financial barriers to participation in high-demand AI fields. By closing the gender gap in AI learning, the UAE can foster a more diverse talent pool that enhances creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.

In addition to enrollments, the region’s learners are increasingly seeking credentials that demonstrate their capabilities. The rising share of professional certificates, combined with the emphasis on cybersecurity credentials, indicates a shift toward credentialed competence that is portable across employers and industries. This trend supports worker mobility and resilience in a dynamic labor market where AI technologies continually evolve. The UAE’s focus on digital upskilling, mobile access, and inclusive learning pathways positions the country to capitalize on this momentum, while also addressing the persistent challenges of gaps in technical proficiency and alignment with real-world workplace needs.

We the UAE 2031, AI Campus, and the path to a more AI-enabled economy

The UAE’s AI strategy is closely tied to its broader developmental vision for 2031, which seeks to shape a diversified, knowledge-based economy with AI as a central driver of growth. The national plan envisions AI-enabled solutions across sectors, from government services to healthcare, finance, and energy. By foregrounding AI as a strategic enabler, the UAE aims to boost productivity, foster innovation, and reduce reliance on oil-based revenue streams. The success of this strategy hinges on several interlocking components, including workforce readiness, infrastructure, governance, and industry collaboration.

A cornerstone of this vision is the planned 5GW AI Campus, which is expected to serve as a hub for AI research, development, and education. The campus is designed to catalyze collaboration among universities, research institutions, startups, large enterprises, and government bodies. Its scope would include advanced AI research, talent development programs, incubators for AI-based ventures, and industry-specific labs that tackle real-world challenges. By concentrating talent and resources, the campus could accelerate the translation of research breakthroughs into market-ready solutions, stimulate regional innovation ecosystems, and attract international talent and investment.

Another critical element is embedding AI within public school curricula. Early exposure to AI concepts and ethical considerations is intended to cultivate a generation of students who are fluent in AI technologies, capable of critical thinking about AI’s societal implications, and prepared to contribute to future AI-driven industries. This foundational education supports a long-term pipeline of skilled workers who can enter higher education, vocational training, and professional programs with a strong grounding in AI principles and applications.

The practical outcomes of these policies include elevated non-oil GDP contributions, enhanced competitiveness, and broader opportunity across the workforce. To achieve this, the UAE must continue to align higher education, vocational training, and industry needs through robust collaboration. This involves ensuring curricula reflect the latest AI methods, providing hands-on opportunities for students and workers to work on real-world AI projects, and establishing clear pathways for career progression in AI-related roles. The ecosystem should also include mechanisms to advance research translation, entrepreneurship, and startups that commercialize AI innovations.

The 2031 horizon requires careful governance to maximize benefits while mitigating risks. This includes ethical frameworks for AI development, transparent governance of data usage, and safeguards to protect privacy and civil liberties. It also calls for scalable, resilient digital infrastructure, including cloud services, data centers, and cybersecurity measures, to support a nationwide AI-enabled economy. Public investment in research and development, coupled with private-sector funding and international partnerships, can accelerate progress toward the envisioned milestones.

As the UAE advances toward 2031, continuous monitoring and adaptive policy design will be essential. The AI Maturity Index offers a valuable tool for assessing progress, identifying emerging gaps, and guiding strategic investments. The index’s integration of learner engagement data and macro indicators enables policymakers to evaluate the effectiveness of education and training programs, the readiness of infrastructure and governance, and the overall trajectory of AI readiness. By maintaining a responsive approach, the UAE can sustain its leadership in AI readiness, ensure inclusive participation, and translate knowledge into tangible economic and societal benefits.

Conclusion

The UAE’s journey in AI readiness, GenAI adoption, and digital-skills development is marked by a distinctive blend of rapid learner uptake, strategic policy design, and ambitious infrastructure initiatives. The 344% surge in Generative AI enrollments, far outpacing regional and global averages, underscores a strong alignment between national priorities, employer demand, and individual learner motivation. The emergence of the AI Maturity Index adds a meaningful, data-driven lens to measure national readiness, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership position in the Arab world and its standing on the global stage.

Key policy actions—such as embedding AI into school curricula, launching the 5GW AI Campus, and pursuing the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031—reflect a comprehensive approach to building a robust AI-enabled economy. These initiatives aim to diversify the economy beyond oil, drive productivity gains, and create pathways for Emirati talent to lead the next wave of innovation. The report’s emphasis on professional credentials and cybersecurity training further confirms a pragmatic focus on equipping workers with job-relevant skills that enhance resilience and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Nevertheless, challenges remain. The UAE must continue addressing gender gaps and persistent skills shortages, ensuring that women have equitable access to STEM and GenAI programs and that the workforce can translate online learning into on-the-job performance. By focusing on inclusive growth, targeted interventions, and close collaboration between government, industry, and educational institutions, the country can strengthen its AI ecosystems while ensuring broad-based benefits across society. The UAE’s ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, governance, and education signal a strong commitment to maintaining momentum, expanding opportunity, and solidifying its position as a regional leader in AI readiness and innovation. This comprehensive approach sets the stage for sustained progress toward a knowledge-driven economy that leverages AI to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and prosperity for years to come.