UAE Launches Region's First Chief AI Officer Programme for the C-suite

AI Applications: The UAE's First Chief AI Officer Training for Executives

The UAE has launched the region's first executive Chief AI Officer (CAIO) training, announced at the Machines Can See summit during Dubai AI Week. Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM) and Dubai-based Polynome Group have partnered to deliver a programme built for senior leaders who need to turn AI strategy into enterprise results.

Organisations are appointing CAIOs to lead AI deployment, risk, and regulation. Demand is high, yet the talent pool is thin-especially for leaders who can bridge technical depth with business impact. This initiative meets that gap as Middle Eastern enterprises scale AI investments.

Inside the AI Academy

The AI Academy-run by ADSM and Polynome-prepares executives to oversee enterprise AI initiatives and governance. Research indicates 69% of Middle Eastern organisations plan to increase AI spending, and the programme is structured to meet that momentum with practical, short-format courses and an executive CAIO track.

The two-week intensive begins on 16 November 2025. It targets CAIOs, CTOs, and digital transformation leaders who need clear operating models rather than theory. Participants can add an optional five-day international module in Europe or the US to extend exposure to global practices.

Nvidia's involvement

The partnership integrates expertise from Nvidia, whose GPUs are widely used across AI workloads. The goal: accelerate hands-on deployment capabilities across MENA by combining enterprise-grade tooling with executive decision frameworks.

As Alexander Khanin, Founder of Polynome Group, notes, the programme is built by teams who have implemented AI at scale-participants leave with execution-ready strategies, enterprise tools, and a high-caliber peer network.

Curriculum and outcomes

The curriculum spans 10 modules covering AI systems architecture, enterprise rollout strategies, and governance frameworks. Expect practical coverage of model lifecycle, data platforms, cost control, risk, compliance, and value delivery.

• Enterprise deployment playbooks (from pilot to scale)
• Operating models for AI product teams and centers of excellence
• Risk, security, and governance frameworks for responsible use
• Vendor, talent, and budget strategies
• Metrics that tie AI initiatives to revenue, cost, and productivity

National strategy and market context

The programme directly supports the UAE's AI Strategy 2031, which positions the country for global leadership and estimates over US$96bn in potential GDP contribution by 2031. Multiple federal and Dubai government entities have already appointed CAIOs, underscoring the strategic weight of the role.

For background on the national agenda, see the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence on the federal portal: UAE AI Strategy 2031. For the technology backbone referenced in the programme, visit Nvidia AI.

Academic and industry faculty

Instructors include faculty from Oxford University, ETH Zurich, and Carnegie Mellon University, plus regional leaders from Khalifa University and Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. Industry practitioners come from Nvidia, AMD, e&, G42, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ensuring real-world execution lessons sit alongside research-grade insight.

Institutional credibility

Abu Dhabi School of Management, established in 2011, is accredited by the Commission of Academic Accreditation and partners with 20+ global institutions. Polynome Group specialises in enterprise AI infrastructure and is the only Nvidia Solution Advisor in the UAE and GCC.

What executives will gain

• A clear AI mandate with board-ready strategy, risk controls, and ROI models
• A governance framework that is practical for business units to adopt
• A deployment roadmap that connects data, models, and workflows to outcomes
• A network of senior peers and practitioners for ongoing problem-solving

Graduates join an alumni network of CAIOs and senior leaders, creating a durable channel for collaboration across the AI industry.

Who should consider it

Executives responsible for AI P&L, digital transformation, technology, data, or compliance who need accountable delivery-beyond pilots and presentations. If your 2026 plan includes scaled AI adoption, this programme helps compress the execution timeline.

If you're building a broader executive learning path, explore curated options by role here: Complete AI Training: Courses by Job.