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 officially launched the Dubai AI Academy, a remarkable new initiative designed to mainstream artificial intelligence (AI) education and enhance its adoption across critical sectors of the economy.
The launch occurred during the inaugural Dubai AI Week 2025, held under the patronage of His Highness and organized by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), an initiative of the Dubai Future Foundation. This event took place from 21 to 25 April at the Museum of the Future, AREA 2071 at Emirates Towers, and various other locations throughout Dubai.
Vision for AI leadership
His Highness stated: “Dubai will be the destination of choice for those who are seeking to lead the future of artificial intelligence. We will continue to support impactful initiatives that showcase the promising and diverse applications of AI, and the opportunities it offers to accelerate economic growth and advance progress across government, education, and society.”
Part of the Dubai AI Campus
The Dubai AI Academy is an integral component of the Dubai AI Campus, the largest dedicated cluster of AI and advanced technology companies in the region, situated within the DIFC Innovation Hub. Developed with the support of the DIFC Academy, this initiative aims to educate 10,000 emerging and experienced leaders, establishing itself as a premier provider of AI training and certification programs.
Collaborations with global institutions
The Academy will partner with world-renowned academic institutions, including Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, Udacity, and the Minerva Project. These collaborations will facilitate tailored programs that equip participants with the essential skills needed to excel in an AI-enabled world. Initial offerings will include ‘AI for Civil Service,’ targeting government employees, and ‘Leadership in the Age of AI,’ which focuses on strategic decision-making, ethics, and adaptability in complex, technology-driven environments.
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Supporting Dubai’s economic ambitions
By expanding AI education on a large scale, the Academy will bolster Dubai’s ambition to double the impact of AI on its GDP and enhance its global competitiveness. Training modules will cover critical capabilities such as identifying and implementing AI use cases, integrating AI into business strategies, and applying ethical frameworks for responsible adoption.
Alignment with DUB.AI goals
This initiative aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI) and reinforces the emirate’s long-term vision of becoming a global hub for AI, innovation, and technology. The Dubai AI Campus, which was inaugurated under His Highness’s directives in 2023, plays a pivotal role in supporting this transformation by providing computing power, business acceleration programs, and a tailored AI business licensing model.
Enhancing talent development in Dubai
The Academy also contributes to the goals of DIFC’s 2030 Strategy by fostering talent development within Dubai’s burgeoning AI, FinTech, and innovation ecosystem. Its establishment is anticipated to significantly enhance productivity within the local workforce and serve as a crucial enabler for the integration of AI applications across both public and private sectors.
