stclarke breaks down Microsoft’s efforts to accelerate AI upskilling in the UAE, highlighting initiatives that train educators, students, and government workers for an AI-driven future.

Microsoft Elevate UAE: Training Over 100,000 Students and Educators in AI Skills

Microsoft is advancing its global skilling initiative, Microsoft Elevate, with a specific focus on the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This effort is part of a broader commitment to prepare the country’s next generation for an AI-centric workforce. The initiative aims to provide AI literacy, advanced skills, and credentials, targeting students, educators, and government employees.

Ambitious Skilling Goals in the UAE

  • Microsoft Elevate UAE intends to skill over 250,000 students, faculty, and staff, as well as 55,000 government employees.
  • The broader goal aims for one million skilled individuals in the country.
  • The company also announced a $15.2 billion USD investment in the UAE to enhance technological infrastructure, talent, and trust.

Partnerships and Educational Programs

  • Microsoft is partnering with the UAE Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and local institutions to embed AI skills in school curricula.
  • Collaborations with GEMS (the largest UAE private school provider) are integrating AI skills for 10,000 teachers and 150,000 students, including Copilot workshops and custom AI agents.
  • Nonprofit partnerships (e.g., INJAZ UAE) are delivering AI Fundamentals courses and credentialing thousands via the Skills Spot platform.
  • Higher education partnerships with MBZUAI, Higher Colleges of Technology, and UAE University aim to foster AI research and advanced skills.

Government Employee Upskilling

  • Specialized courses for government workers are delivered through the JAHIZ platform in partnership with G42.
  • Over the next year, 55,000 federal employees will be credentialed in AI.
  • Leadership programs developed with INSEAD focus on strategic AI thinking and responsible adoption, with over 1,200 senior leaders already trained.

Societal and Economic Impact

  • These initiatives address the UAE’s digital skills gap, with current studies showing over 40% of working-age adults are not yet using AI.
  • By scaling AI literacy, the program supports the country’s vision for a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.

Conclusion

Microsoft Elevate UAE represents a long-term pledge to empower Emiratis by delivering AI skilling at every level, from classrooms to government offices, supporting both national AI adoption and responsible governance.

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