MBZUAI opens applications for 2026 Global AI Leadership Program
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has opened applications for its 2026 Global AI Leadership Program - a five-day, in-person program for senior leaders who set strategy and policy. The focus is straight to the point: governance, risk, enterprise adoption, and public policy - not tooling or model tuning.
Dates: February 6-10, 2026 * Format: In person, Abu Dhabi * Audience: Senior government officials, global executives, and C-level leaders driving large-scale transformation.
Why this matters for executives
AI isn't a technical upgrade. It's a leadership decision that touches risk, compliance, capital allocation, operating models, and public trust. Boards and regulators are asking tougher questions, and this program is built to help you answer them with clarity.
What the program covers
- Enterprise strategy in AI-first environments: where to invest, what to measure, how to sequence.
- Governance frameworks and risk management: model oversight, assurance, auditability, and accountability.
- Generative and predictive decision-making: policy, ethics, and executive use in real work.
- Regulation and public policy: what's coming, what's enforceable, and how to respond.
- Field visits to organizations using AI at scale across energy, transportation, cybersecurity, and government services.
Who should apply
- Ministers, agency heads, and senior regulators guiding national or sector policy.
- CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CHROs, CIOs/CTOs accountable for transformation and P&L outcomes.
- Strategy, risk, and corporate affairs leaders tasked with enterprise-wide AI adoption.
Program format and timing
The program runs over five days in Abu Dhabi from February 6 to February 10, 2026. It's delivered by The Academy, MBZUAI's executive education arm, with a selective cohort and limited seats. Expect case work, executive debates, and operator-level lessons from site visits.
Context: MBZUAI and the UAE's AI agenda
MBZUAI is a postgraduate research university focused on AI across policy, strategy, and applied research. The university's executive education push supports the UAE's national AI vision, emphasizing governance, capability building, and practical adoption at scale.
Learn more about MBZUAI * UAE National AI Strategy
Application notes
- Come with a clear mandate: the business or policy outcomes you own over the next 12-18 months.
- Bring a live use case for discussion: where AI could shift cost, speed, risk, or service quality.
- Plan for follow-through: governance updates, capability builds, and budget frameworks.
Applications are open now. The announcement was shared by MBZUAI and The Academy on LinkedIn, and interest is expected to be high.
Related resources for leadership teams
If you're building internal capability alongside executive education, here's a curated starting point: AI courses by job role.
Your membership also unlocks:
