Generative AI (GenAI) enrollments in the UAE have experienced an impressive 344 percent year-over-year (YoY) increase, significantly surpassing the MENA regional average of 128 percent and the global average of 195 percent, according to the annual Global Skills Report from online learning platform Coursera.
The report also indicates that 87 percent of UAE employers prioritize technology literacy, AI, and big data, signaling a strong rise in demand for future-ready talent equipped with emerging tech capabilities. The Global Skills Report 2025 further affirms the UAE’s robust progress in cultivating a digitally skilled workforce. The country continues to lead the region in digital upskilling, with 13 percent of its labor force actively learning on Coursera. Professional Certificate enrollments also surged by 41 percent, including a 14 percent increase in cybersecurity, reflecting the growing demand for job-relevant credentials.
Enhancing the digital economy
Drawing on data from Coursera’s global community of over 170 million learners, the report identifies areas where skill proficiencies are rising, where gaps persist, and what drives learner behavior across more than 100 countries. The UAE’s remarkable performance and significant rise in GenAI enrollments underscore its strategic push towards building a knowledge-based economy powered by skilled Emirati talent, aligning with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.
New to this year’s report is the AI Maturity Index, which evaluates countries’ readiness for AI by combining Coursera learner data with external metrics from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The UAE ranks first in the Arab world and 32nd globally out of 109 countries, showcasing a solid foundation in AI innovation, research, and the real-world application of AI skills.
The UAE’s strong AI Maturity ranking and accelerated GenAI adoption across various sectors emphasize its ambition to become a global AI hub. Initiatives such as the planned 5GW AI Campus and the integration of AI as a mandatory subject in public schools support this ambition and align with the UAE National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to position the country as a global AI leader by 2031. These efforts are central to the UAE’s broader objective of increasing the digital economy’s contribution to over 20 percent of non-oil GDP by 2031, a target that reflects the country’s long-term vision for digital and economic leadership.
Read more: UAE strengthens global leadership in AI, projected to boost GDP by $100 billion by 2030
Rapid AI learning growth
Kais Zribi, Coursera’s general manager for the Middle East and Africa, stated: “The UAE is rapidly scaling AI learning and infrastructure to drive workforce transformation and regional innovation. Its strong performance on Coursera’s AI Maturity Index, combined with high rankings in overall skills proficiency, demonstrates the country’s growing ability to close skill gaps, nurture future talent, and lead in AI readiness. As digital transformation reshapes industries, the UAE is setting a powerful example of how nations can leverage education to build a competitive, inclusive digital economy that prepares its workforce for the future.”
The UAE ranks 38th globally in overall skills proficiency across business, technology, and data science, placing first in the Arab world. The country scores especially high in business skills (85 percent), with strong proficiency in technology (52 percent) and data science (59 percent). Among the 10.8 million Coursera learners in MENA, 1.3 million are based in the UAE, with a median age of 36. Notably, learners in the UAE are increasingly adopting mobile learning, with 41 percent accessing content via mobile devices.
While these indicators reveal meaningful progress, challenges remain. Seventy-two percent of UAE employers continue to cite skills gaps as a major barrier, above the global average. Closing these gaps will require increasing women’s participation in emerging technology fields, which is essential not only for achieving gender equity but also for driving long-term economic transformation. Currently, women make up 32 percent of Coursera learners in the UAE, with 24 percent enrolled in STEM courses and 21 percent in GenAI, highlighting untapped potential to advance gender equity in the tech sector.
