Abu Dhabi Launches 'AiNative' to Train 20,000 Government Employees by End of 2026

Abu Dhabi Launches 'AiNative' to Train 20,000 Government Employees by End of 2026

Abu Dhabi is accelerating its digital transformation with the launch of "AiNative," an ambitious training programme designed to upskill 20,000 government employees in the practical and responsible use of artificial intelligence by the end of 2026. The initiative represents a critical step in the emirate's broader goal to establish itself as the world's first AI-native government by 2027.

The AiNative programme is deeply integrated into Abu Dhabi's AED 13 billion ($3.5 billion) Digital Strategy 2025–2027. This comprehensive framework not only covers AI adoption and government workforce development, but also extends to digital infrastructure and cloud computing investments.

The Broader UAE "Super User" Vision

Abu Dhabi's localized initiative aligns with a massive nationwide push across the United Arab Emirates. Speaking at the 'Ai Everything Abu Dhabi' summit, Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE's Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, revealed that the country is currently training roughly 80,000 government employees to become AI "super users".

• These super users are being equipped with the advanced knowledge required to build their own AI agents and work directly with complex models.

• Minister Al Olama described this nationwide educational push as a "very aggressive" drive to dominate the AI landscape.

• The overarching philosophy of the UAE government is that individuals must fully understand how to leverage AI technology before they can extract its true economic and operational benefits.

Creating a Culture of Practical Application

The AiNative programme specifically focuses on bridging the gap between theoretical AI and daily operational utility. The curriculum aims to impart practical knowledge while fostering the necessary judgment to apply AI thoughtfully in day-to-day public sector tasks. This targeted training follows the successful deployment of Microsoft 365 Copilot across various Abu Dhabi public-sector agencies earlier in the year. The emirate has already demonstrated significant momentum in workforce upskilling. Prior to the launch of AiNative, the government reported that more than 95% of its 30,000-plus workforce had already completed foundational AI training modules. By investing heavily in human capital rather than just software licenses, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself at the forefront of global public sector innovation. As Minister Al Olama noted, the greatest economic advantages will not necessarily belong to the countries that invent new technologies, but rather to those that adopt and apply them most effectively.