Microsoft reveals UAE AI National Skills Initiative
New AI skills initiative aims to upskill 100,000 government employees over 12 months
#UAE #AIskills - Microsoft will partner with government entities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah to launch the AI National Skills Initiative, which plans to upskill 100,000 government employees in AI over the next year to make the UAE one of the most prepared AI governments globally. Revealed during GITEX GLOBAL 2024, the AI National Skills Initiative will upskill government employees across the public sector at multiple levels to including senior executives, technology leaders and developers.
SO WHAT? - Microsoft has ramped up investment in the UAE over the past few years and has made a number of significant announcements during 2024 including a $1.5 billion investment in AI group G42, a new Responsible AI centre as a joint venture with G42, and the establishment of an AI for Good Lab in Abu Dhabi. Three weeks ago, Microsoft announced plans for a Global Engineering Development Centre in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, core to Microsoft’s UAE strategy is the expansion of public Azure cloud services and the creation of sovereign cloud services to support AI usage in the country. Thus the new AI National Skills Imitative is likely to both inspire further Microsoft collaboration with UAE government entities and, whilst boosting government employee AI skills, increase knowledge of Microsoft’s AI platforms and services within government departments.
Some key details about the AI National Skills Initiative:
Microsoft will partner with government entities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah to create an AI National Skills Initiative, to upskill all levels of government employees on artificial intelligence.
The first agreement to be announced for AI National Skills Initiative, is the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Microsoft and Digital Sharjah at GITEX GLOBAL 2024.
The new initiative aims to upskill 100,000 government employees in the UAE in AI knowledge and skills over the next 12 months, empowering them to drive government AI usage. Training will focus on practical AI applications, allowing employees to integrate AI into their daily operations.
The initiative supports the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which aims to position the UAE as a global AI hub and has focused heavily on boosting the country’s AI knowledge.
Microsoft’s AI platform will deliver personalised learning experiences, ensuring employees acquire skills tailored to their own roles.
ZOOM OUT - Since its launch in 2017, the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence has planned, implemented and enabled a wide range of AI education and training aimed at every level of government. AI and digital training initiatives have been created for government leaders, departmental leadership and across all levels of government employees via a digital education platforms, including the government-wide education platform Jahiz , created by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR). Following several years of government AI education programmes, the Microsoft AI National Skills Initiative has the potential to capitalise on the current knowledge of UAE government departments, and raise AI skill levels.
Read more about recent UAE-related Microsoft deals and initiatives:
Microsoft to open Global Engineering Dev. Centre (Middle East AI News)
G42 & Microsoft prioritise responsible AI (Middle East AI News)
Microsoft's $1.5b investment a pivotal moment for G42 (Middle East AI News)