Dubai launches AI Academy to to train the next generation of AI leaders

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has officially opened the Dubai AI Academy — a new initiative designed to scale AI education and speed up adoption across key sectors.

The launch took place during Dubai AI Week 2025 (April 21–25), a major series of events focused on shaping Dubai’s future as a global hub for artificial intelligence. Organised by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence and the Dubai Future Foundation, the week gathered global experts, innovators, and decision-makers to map out the next phase of AI development.

At the opening, Sheikh Hamdan summed up the ambition simply:

Dubai will be the destination of choice for those who are seeking to lead the future of artificial intelligence.

The Dubai AI Academy aims to train 10,000 emerging and experienced leaders, helping them build the skills needed to integrate AI into business strategies, policymaking, and innovation.

The Academy is partnering with top international institutions, including Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, Udacity, and the Minerva Project, to deliver tailored programmes on AI deployment.

Early course modules will focus on practical skills like identifying AI use cases, embedding AI into business processes, and applying ethical frameworks. Specialised tracks such as "AI for Civil Service" and "Leadership in the Age of AI"will target government officials and executives navigating AI-driven change.

Located at the Dubai AI Campus in DIFC — the region’s largest cluster for AI and advanced tech — the Academy is part of Dubai’s broader strategy to double AI’s contribution to GDP and strengthen its global competitiveness.

The Academy is a core part of the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI), the city’s long-term plan to make AI a key engine of economic growth, innovation, and global leadership.