UAE launches 80,000-person AI training program for federal employees
The UAE Cabinet approved the country's largest government training initiative Monday, targeting 80,000 federal employees to build skills in agentic AI technologies. The program will train ministers, senior executives, and staff across all ministries and federal entities.
The announcement came during a Cabinet meeting in Abu Dhabi chaired by Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The training is part of a national transformation strategy that aims to integrate AI into 50% of all government services and operational processes.
Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan will oversee the transformation program. The UAE is positioning itself to become a leading government in adopting agentic AI technologies across the public sector.
What's included in the initiative
The Cabinet also approved the first package of AI-powered government service bundles for citizens, residents, businesses, and investors. A separate policy targets healthcare sector integration, including development of a national AI-powered medical system and specialized AI training for healthcare professionals.
The government labeled this transition "UAE Government 4.0." A national retreat will discuss the full transformation strategy.
What this means for government workers
Federal employees should expect training in AI for Government and AI Agents & Automation tools. The scale of the program - 80,000 people - signals this is not optional upskilling but a core requirement for the sector's future.
The focus on agentic AI specifically means training will cover autonomous systems that can perform tasks with minimal human intervention, not just general AI literacy.
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