UAE National Experts Program launches AI leadership track

Applications open 29 January for NEP-AI cohort

Abu Dhabi (Image credit: ADRO)

#UAE #education - The UAE National Experts Program has called on Emirati professionals working in artificial intelligence to join its new AI track, with applications scheduled to open on 29 January 2026. NEP-AI, a specialised track of the programme launched during graduation of NEP Cohorts 2.0 and 3.0 in October 2025, focuses on the nation’s strategic AI priorities with the goal of developing a national cadre of AI leaders. The first cohort is scheduled to begin in May 2026, spanning 25 priority sectors across six core tracks including AI infrastructure and hardware, AI models and application, and sovereign AI and national capability.

SO WHAT? - The programme is part of the UAE’s structured national response to the human capital requirements of the UAE’s AI strategy. The Emirates has become adept at translating policy into execution through a rigorous combination of academics, immersive work experience and mentoring by government and business leaders. By emphasising governance, ethics, data readiness and responsible AI deployment whilst connecting participants to global expertise and international institutions, NEP-AI addresses the challenge of moving beyond theoretical knowledge to practical delivery of AI initiatives across government and economic sectors.

Here are some key points about the NEP’s new AI track:

• The UAE National Experts Program has called on Emirati professionals working in artificial intelligence to join its new AI track (NEP-AI), with applications scheduled to open on 29 January 2026.

• NEP-AI is developed in alignment with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and contributes directly to its vision of positioning the UAE among the world’s leading nations in AI.

• The programme spans 25 priority sectors across the national economy, with six core tracks covering AI Infrastructure and Hardware, AI Models and Application, AI Productisation and Entrepreneurship, Sovereign AI and National Capability, Human-AI Leadership and Foresight, and Applied AI Domains.

• Participants are selected based on strong academic, professional and leadership credentials, as well as the ability to translate knowledge and expertise into tangible, practical impact across national sectors.

• Each participant will present a capstone project connected to their organisation or sector, aimed at achieving scientific solutions with tangible and sustainable impact whilst addressing institutional and national challenges.

• Participants are supported by a network of NEP-AI mentors and leverage global expertise through UAE-based centres of excellence combined with leading international institutions, alongside international study visits aligned with AI specialisation tracks.

• Building on NEP’s success since 2019, the AI track places strong emphasis on human capital, governance, ethics, data readiness and responsible AI deployment, ensuring participants move beyond theory to delivery.

ZOOM OUT - The National Experts Programme was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2019 with the aim of establishing a rich base of national expertise to drive the UAE towards a knowledge-based economy. Inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed's focus on developing human capital as a national treasure, the programme combines academics, immersive work experience and mentoring by top government and business leaders across four main clusters: Social Development, Economic Development, Infrastructure and Environment, and Security and International Affairs. The AI track represents the continued evolution of NEP's model, applying its proven methodology to address the nation's critical need for specialised AI leadership and expertise.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]