Digital Dubai, the government’s digital authority, has launched the AI Workforce Transformation Program (AI+), a comprehensive initiative designed to train the entire 50,000-strong Dubai Government workforce in artificial intelligence. The program, developed in collaboration with the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) and the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), signals a strategic shift from simply procuring AI technology to building deep, system-wide human capability.
Quick Facts
- Training for all 50,000 Dubai Government employees.
- Five specialized learning tracks for different job roles.
- Supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
A People-First Approach to Government AI
While many government AI strategies focus on infrastructure and technology acquisition, Dubai’s AI+ program is taking a different route by prioritizing its people. The initiative aims to build a foundational level of AI literacy and practical skills across every level of the public sector, from frontline staff to senior leadership.
This move is designed to accelerate AI adoption, boost productivity, and create sustainable institutional AI capabilities throughout the Dubai Government. The goal is to build a public sector workforce that is not just aware of AI, but is actively equipped to leverage it in daily operations.
Tailored Training From Leadership to Employee Level
The AI+ program is structured around five distinct learning tracks, each customized for a specific category of government employee to ensure relevance and impact:
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Leadership Track: Focuses on AI strategy, governance, and policy through expert-led sessions and case studies from leading global governments.
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Chief AI Officers Track: A deep dive into Dubai’s specific AI policy and framework, using interactive workshops to explore practical government use cases.
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Products and Services Owners Track: Covers the entire AI use case lifecycle, from ideation and development to measuring impact and value.
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Departments and Sections Managers Track: Equips mid-level managers with the skills to identify AI opportunities within their teams and allocate resources effectively for automation and service enhancement.
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Employee Track: Builds practical, day-to-day AI skills like prompt engineering, task automation with AI agents, and using AI-powered productivity tools.
Building on a City-Wide AI Blueprint
The AI+ initiative is the latest step in Dubai’s rapidly accelerating AI agenda. It builds directly on momentum created since 2023, when the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence was launched to coordinate AI adoption across government entities.
Earlier in 2024, the emirate published the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, a strategic plan to align all government AI initiatives. This was followed by the appointment of Chief AI Officers across 22 government departments to drive implementation on the ground. AI+ now provides the critical human capital layer to this comprehensive, city-wide transformation effort.
About AI+
The AI Workforce Transformation Program (AI+) is a government-wide initiative launched by Digital Dubai in partnership with the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) and the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI). Its primary objective is to train all 50,000 Dubai Government employees in artificial intelligence skills and applications through five specialized learning tracks tailored to different seniority levels and job functions.
Source: Middle East AI News
