Dubai: From Agentic AI transforming governance, to everyday tasks becoming more streamlined and accessible – the UAE is at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI). Do you feel like you’re falling behind and need to level up?
Don’t worry, you can take advantage of a number of government-led initiatives from around the UAE that are bringing AI education right to your fingertips. Take free courses online on a range of topics, from generative AI to prompt engineering. Here are a few to note:
1. One Million Prompters
The One Million Prompters initiative, launched by the Dubai Future Foundation and the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, aims to equip one million individuals with the skills to use AI tools. The initiative also provides a solid foundation in understanding AI, generative AI, prompt engineering, as well as AI-powered productivity techniques and creative applications, positioning users for success in an evolving job market. It’s a future-proof programme for people looking to enter or expand their skills in AI-driven industries.
Details: The One Million Prompters initiative offers a single, online, self-paced course that covers four modules, with each module running for one hour. The course is open to all learners, regardless of age, location, or background.
The course modules cover the following areas:
Unleashing the power of AI
Commanding conversations with AI chatbots
AI-powered productivity revolution
Creative frontiers with Generative AI
Each module involves quizzes and assessments. Once you complete the course, you will be awarded a certificate, which you can then download.
Fee: Free.
Register: Sign up for the course at dubai.ai/en/omp.
2. Google AI Plus
Until December 31, 2026, the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office, in collaboration with Google Gemini, has launched one-year complimentary access to Google AI Plus for university students in the country. The initiative is part of the ‘AI for All’ strategy launched by the AI Office and Google in 2024, which is in line with the UAE government’s efforts to empower new generations with the knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to build a deeper understanding of AI.
Details: The initiative is open to university students in the UAE aged 18 and older, who can benefit from the plan for free for a full year, as long as they complete registration by December 31, 2026.
The Google AI Plus plan offers students access to a whole suite of AI tools that support study, research and content production, including the latest Gemini app and Gemini Notebook, which helps students interact with academic materials and scholarly sources, prepare summaries, and benefit from interactive audio content, in an ecosystem that provides up to 400GB of storage space. The initiative also involves a series of virtual and in-person training programmes for universities, helping them develop their AI skills, while promoting responsible use of the technology.
Fee: Free.
Register: Sign up at goo.gle/studentoffer26-uae.
3. IBM SkillsBuild
At GISEC Global 2026, IBM’s SkillsBuild – the company’s free technology education programme – and the UAE Cyber Security Council, announced that learners across the UAE will be able to gain access to industry-recognised digital credentials in areas like AI and cybersecurity.
Details: The initiative is open to five groups – high school students, university students, entry-level employees, government employees, and participants in the start-up and innovation track of CyberE71, a programme by the UAE’s Cybersecurity Council. Learners gain access to more than 1,000 courses through IBM SkillsBuild, with topics spanning AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, project management and workplace skills.
Fee: Free.
Register: Explore courses at skillsbuild.org.
4. AiNative
The Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi’s (DGE) AiNative programme is a training programme built with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) for every government employee, as well as the wider public. It aims to upskill 20,000 government employees by the end of the year, and forms part of Abu Dhabi’s drive to become the world’s first AI-native government by 2027.
Details: AiNative provides foundation learning journeys for government employees and the public, alongside a dedicated executive programme for department leaders. The government journey equips employees with practical tools – including ChatGPT, Codex and Microsoft 365 Copilot – building the skills they need to use AI confidently and responsibly in their daily work.
For the general public, both citizens and residents will be able to access the public programme via Tomouh, DGE’s AI-powered learning app, by logging in with their UAE PASS. The public programme will cover practical applications of AI that are useful in everyday life, from managing personal finances to finding a job and creating content responsibly online. The programme is delivered through ChatGPT.
Fee: Free.
Register: AiNative is being rolled out in phases. A government pilot is currently underway with public access to follow. Visit the Tomouh app or DGE’s website, dge.gov.ae, to stay informed about enrolment dates.
