The United Arab Emirates has launched the first cohort of its National Experts Programme – AI track (NEP-AI), a specialized leadership initiative designed to cultivate homegrown talent capable of driving the country’s ambitious artificial intelligence agenda. The seven-month program, which began in June 2026, brings together 32 Emirati professionals to build advanced capabilities in AI strategy, implementation, and governance.
Selected from over 1,000 applicants, the cohort represents one of the most diverse groups in the program’s history. Participants come from six emirates, span public, state-owned, and private sectors, and boast strong academic credentials with a significant portion holding master’s degrees or doctorates. The group’s average age of 33 underscores a focus on mid-career experts ready to translate technical knowledge into national impact.
NEP-AI operates as a dedicated track within the broader National Experts Programme, aligning directly with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. Over seven intensive modules, participants engage in interactive workshops, mentorship, international study visits, and capstone projects addressing real challenges in priority sectors. Topics range from AI infrastructure and models to agentic AI, data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and responsible deployment.
The opening module in Abu Dhabi focused on foundational elements: the national AI strategy, governance frameworks, and sector-specific priorities. Future sessions will deepen expertise in areas such as venture building, leadership in AI transformation, and communication for impact. A defining feature is the capstone project requirement, where each expert develops and implements an applied AI solution tied to their organization or sector.
The UAE has positioned itself as a global AI hub through investments in infrastructure, research, and policy. Yet officials consistently emphasize that technology alone is insufficient without skilled national talent to steer adoption and innovation. NEP-AI addresses this by targeting professionals with at least five years of relevant experience, blending technical depth with strategic and leadership training.
The program’s structure reflects a shift from theoretical education to execution-focused learning. Participants work across 25 sectors and six core tracks, including AI productization, sovereign AI, and human-AI leadership. This ensures skills development is closely tied to practical outcomes, from enhancing government services to boosting competitiveness in key industries.
Diversity remains a priority. The cohort includes a strong representation of women and professionals from across the Emirates, supporting broader goals of inclusive growth. Mentorship from local and international experts, combined with exposure to global best practices, aims to produce leaders who can responsibly integrate advanced technologies like agentic AI into national systems.
NEP-AI builds on the success of earlier National Experts Programme cohorts while sharpening focus on AI as a national priority. Launched under high-level patronage, the initiative contributes to the UAE’s vision of becoming one of the world’s most prepared nations for AI by 2031. It complements other efforts in data infrastructure, research partnerships, and ethical governance.
For the 32 participants, the program offers more than professional development it positions them as key contributors to the country’s digital future. Their capstone projects are expected to deliver measurable impact, whether in public service delivery, industry innovation, or cross-sector applications.
As the inaugural cohort progresses through its modules, the UAE continues to demonstrate a holistic approach to AI readiness: investing in technology while systematically developing the human expertise needed to govern, deploy, and scale it. The launch of this first AI learning track marks a concrete step in turning strategic ambition into a robust national capability.
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