Digital Dubai has officially launched the AI Workforce Transformation Program (AI+), a massive undertaking designed to equip the entire Dubai Government workforce—totaling 50,000 employees—with essential artificial intelligence skills.
Developed in partnership with the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) and the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), the program moves beyond mere technology adoption by focusing on the human element of digital transformation.
A Human-Centric Approach to AI
While many government initiatives focus on purchasing software or building digital infrastructure, AI+ prioritizes human capability. By training everyone from frontline staff to senior executives, Dubai is ensuring that its workforce can practically apply AI to daily operations, rather than just observing its implementation from the sidelines.
This initiative is a critical component of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing the emirate’s goal to become a global hub for technology and highly efficient, AI-driven public services.
The Five Specialized Learning Tracks
To ensure the training is relevant to different professional needs, the AI+ program is divided into five distinct tracks:
- Leadership Track: Focused on high-level strategy and governance, using global case studies to help leaders navigate AI adoption.
- Chief AI Officers: A deep dive into Dubai’s specific AI policies and frameworks, providing practical workshops for those overseeing departmental implementation.
- Product and Service Owners: Covers the entire lifecycle of an AI project, from the initial idea and development to measuring real-world impact and value.
- Department and Section Managers: Teaches managers how to integrate AI into their teams, identify automation opportunities, and allocate resources effectively.
- Employee Track: Provides practical, day-to-day skills, such as prompt engineering, task automation, and the use of AI productivity tools through webinars and hands-on courses.
The Broader Strategic Context
The launch of AI+ represents the latest step in a rapidly accelerating digital roadmap. Since the establishment of the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence in 2023, the emirate has moved aggressively to centralize its AI efforts.
Key milestones leading up to this program include:
1. The Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (2024): A strategic plan to align all government AI initiatives.
2. Departmental Integration: The appointment of Chief AI Officers across 22 different government entities to lead local implementation.
By addressing the “skills gap” through AI+, Dubai is attempting to ensure that its technological infrastructure is matched by a workforce capable of utilizing it to its full potential.
Conclusion
Through the AI+ program, Dubai is transitioning from simply adopting AI technology to building a comprehensive, AI-literate culture across its entire public sector. This move aims to turn the government into a global model for a high-productivity, technology-driven administration.
