Dubai launches AI Academy to train 10,000 leaders
New academy targets government, business, and tech leaders
#UAE #education – Dubai Future Foundation’s Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) has launched the Dubai AI Academy, a new educational initiative designed to train 10,000 emerging and experienced leaders in artificial intelligence. Announced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the last day of Dubai AI Week 2025, the Academy will operate from the Dubai AI Campus at DIFC Innovation Hub, offering globally accredited programmes in collaboration with partners including Oxford’s Saïd Business School, Udacity, and the Minerva Project.
SO WHAT? – Dubai has developed a holistic approach to harnessing AI for its digital economy, from government-wide AI adoption initiatives, to incentives for AI companies to relocate to Dubai, to venture capital funding, guidelines and governance, through to talent development. Building a skilled workforce is essential to maintain momentum and make sure that all Dubai’s initiatives and public-private sector partnerships achieve their full potential. The Dubai AI Academy aims to help fill the AI skills gap, directly supporting the emirate’s ambition to double AI’s contribution to GDP.
Some key facts about the Dubai AI Academy announcement:
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation,, has announced the Dubai AI Academy, on the last day of Dubai AI Week 2025,
Part of the Dubai AI Campus, the region’s largest AI-focused cluster, located at the DIFC Innovation Hub, the Dubai AI Academy aims to train 10,000 public and private sector leaders in AI applications, ethics, and strategy.
The new academy will by run by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) in collaboration with partners including Oxford’s Saïd Business School, Udacity, and the Minerva Project.
Initial programmes include ‘AI for Civil Service’ and ‘Leadership in the Age of AI’, targeting government and business leaders.
The curriculum will cover AI use cases, business integration, and ethical frameworks for responsible technology deployment.
The initiative supports the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI) and the DIFC 2030 Strategy.
By upskilling talent, the Academy will help double AI’s impact on GDP and enhance Dubai’s global competitiveness.
The Academy also aims to boost workforce productivity and drive AI integration across sectors like finance, education, and public services.
The Dubai AI Campus supports this effort with compute infrastructure, acceleration programmes, and bespoke AI licensing models.
ZOOM OUT - The Dubai AI Academy falls under the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, a strategic plan launched by Sheikh Hamdan last year to align all AI-related initiatives and investments under a unified vision. The blueprint is designed to maximise AI’s contribution to the well-being of residents and drive economic transformation in line with D33, which targets a AED 100 billion ($27 billion) annual boost to GDP through digital innovation. By embedding structured AI education into this vision, Dubai is strengthening its role as a cohesive, future-ready AI hub, ensuring future growth.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]