Abu Dhabi launches AiNative programme to train 20,000 government employees in AI
In short
Abu Dhabi's Department of Government Enablement launched AiNative, an AI training programme, at the Ai Everything conference in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The programme aims to train 20,000 government employees by the end of 2026 and is part of the emirate's goal of becoming the world's first AI-native government by 2027. It was developed with OpenAI, Microsoft and MBZUAI, and will later open to citizens and residents through the Tomouh app.
Read the full story 2 min read
Abu Dhabi's Department of Government Enablement launched AiNative, an artificial intelligence training programme, at the Ai Everything conference in the emirate on Wednesday. The programme aims to equip 20,000 government employees with practical AI skills by the end of 2026, according to Gulf News, The National and Economy Middle East, and the government says it is central to Abu Dhabi's goal of becoming the world's first AI-native government by 2027. A memorandum of understanding was signed at the exhibition, Gulf News reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
AiNative was developed by DGE with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. Employees will be trained to use ChatGPT, Codex and Microsoft 365 Copilot, with specialised function-specific certifications in areas such as coding and data to follow in later phases, the outlets reported. Economy Middle East said the programme also includes an executive track for department leaders. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
A pilot is already under way within the government, according to Gulf News, with the public programme to follow. The free programme will later open to Abu Dhabi citizens and residents through Tomouh, the government's AI-powered learning app, accessed using UAE Pass and delivered through the free version of ChatGPT, Gulf News and The National reported. The outlets said the public curriculum covers everyday uses including managing personal finances, running a small business, finding a job, studying and creating online content responsibly. [ 1 , 2 ]
Wesam Lootah, director general of GovDigital at DGE, said: “AI will only create lasting value when people have the knowledge and confidence to use it well. AiNative puts that capability at the heart of Abu Dhabi's AI journey, giving government employees and the wider community practical skills to use AI responsibly in their work and everyday lives.” [ 2 , 3 ]
Amr Kamel, general manager of Microsoft UAE, said Abu Dhabi's leadership “understands that becoming an AI-native government is as much about people as it is about technology”, Gulf News reported. Farouk El Hamzawi, head of enterprise for OpenAI MENA, said “becoming an AI-native nation starts with AI-confident people”, adding that as AI moves from answering questions to taking on complex tasks it opens new possibilities for how people work and how governments serve. [ 1 , 3 ]
The outlets did not state the cost of the programme or the number of employees already enrolled in the pilot. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The programme ties a workforce-training commitment to Abu Dhabi's stated target of becoming the world's first AI-native government by 2027, with a curriculum covering widely used tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot. It brings a government department together with OpenAI, Microsoft and a local university, a model other administrations could follow. Extending the free training to residents via the Tomouh app widens the reach beyond the public sector.
Key facts
- Abu Dhabi's Department of Government Enablement launched the AiNative AI training programme at the Ai Everything conference in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The programme aims to equip 20,000 government employees with practical AI skills by the end of 2026. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The government says the initiative is central to its goal of becoming the world's first AI-native government by 2027. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- AiNative was developed by DGE with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, with an MoU signed at the exhibition. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The curriculum covers ChatGPT, Codex and Microsoft 365 Copilot, with function-specific certifications in areas such as coding and data to follow in later phases. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The free programme will later open to citizens and residents through Tomouh, the government's AI-powered learning app, accessed with UAE Pass and delivered through the free version of ChatGPT. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Wesam Lootah, director general of GovDigital at DGE, said AI “will only create lasting value when people have the knowledge and confidence to use it well”. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Abu Dhabi launched the AiNative AI training programme, targeting 20,000 government employees, as part of its aim to become the world's first AI-native government by 2027. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The programme was developed with OpenAI, Microsoft and MBZUAI, and includes training on ChatGPT, Codex and Microsoft 365 Copilot. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The public phase will be delivered through the free version of ChatGPT and accessed via the Tomouh app using UAE Pass. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Wesam Lootah of DGE's GovDigital said AI creates lasting value when people have the knowledge and confidence to use it well. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The exact cost of the programme and how the free public access is funded are not stated. No document gives budget or funding figures.
- The number of participants already enrolled in the government pilot is not specified. Gulf News says a pilot is under way but gives no participant numbers.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Gulf News publishes its report on the AiNative launch at Ai Everything, Abu Dhabi, including the MoU signing. [ 1 ]
- The National reports the programme is aimed at government employees and the wider public, quoting DGE's Wesam Lootah. [ 2 ]
- Economy Middle East publishes details of the curriculum phases and the executive programme for department leaders. [ 3 ]