Dubai’s AI journey

Some places wait to see what the future will bring. Dubai and the UAE decided to build it. In less than ten years, the country has made artificial intelligence (AI) a national priority, and today it is one of the places in the world where people use AI the most.

A clear vision from the start

In 2017, the UAE became the first country in the world to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. In the same year it launched its national AI strategy, now known as the UAE National AI Strategy 2031. The goal is simple and ambitious: to make the UAE a world leader in AI by 2031, and to use AI to improve government services, grow the economy and make everyday life better.

The country also invested in talent. In 2019, Abu Dhabi opened Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world's first graduate-level university dedicated entirely to AI.

Dubai turns vision into action

Dubai has moved quickly from plans to practice:

• The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence brings government, companies and start-ups together to test and use AI in real services.
• The Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, launched in 2024, helps government departments put AI to work, including appointing Chief AI Officers.
• One Million Prompters, launched in 2025, aims to help one million people learn how to use AI tools well, through short, free courses.
• AI+, launched by Digital Dubai in 2026, is training around 50,000 government employees across five learning tracks, working with the Dubai Centre for AI and the Dubai Future Foundation.

The message is clear: AI is not only for specialists. Dubai wants everyone to be part of it.

Learning starts early

From the 2025–26 school year, AI is part of the curriculum in UAE public schools, from kindergarten to Grade 12. Children learn what AI is, how it works, how to use it, and how to use it responsibly. A whole generation is growing up confident with AI.

People are already on board

The results are already visible. In January 2026, a Microsoft report ranked the UAE number one in the world for AI adoption, with around 64% of working-age people using AI tools. That is a remarkable achievement, and a sign of a society that welcomes new ideas.

What this means for you

When a city invests this much in AI, new opportunities follow: new jobs, new businesses and better services. Schools, universities and employers are all looking for people who can work well with AI.

The best part? AI skills can be learned by anyone, at any age. Whether you are a student, a parent, a graduate, a professional or a leader, there has never been a better time or a better place to start than here in Dubai.

The future is being built in Dubai. Let's build it together.