In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is making significant strides in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). According to a recent report by Coursera, there has been a marked surge in interest in AI upskilling among UAE professionals. This trend highlights the nation’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and fostering a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and growth.
The Coursera Report: Key Findings
Coursera, a leading online learning platform, has observed a notable increase in enrollment in AI-related courses among UAE learners. The report reveals several key insights:
- Increased Enrollment: There has been a substantial rise in the number of UAE professionals enrolling in AI and machine learning courses. This trend underscores the growing recognition of the importance of AI skills in the modern job market.
- Diverse Learner Demographics: The surge in AI course enrollment is not limited to a specific demographic. Learners across various age groups, educational backgrounds, and industries are showing interest in acquiring AI skills. This indicates a broad-based commitment to upskilling.
- Focus on Practical Skills: The courses that have seen the highest enrollment are those that offer practical, hands-on experience with AI technologies. This includes courses on machine learning, data science, and AI programming languages such as Python.
- Corporate Training Initiatives: Many UAE companies are partnering with Coursera to provide AI training to their employees. These initiatives reflect a strategic approach to workforce development, ensuring that employees are equipped with the necessary skills to leverage AI technologies effectively.
Drivers of AI Upskilling in the UAE
Several factors are contributing to the increasing interest in AI upskilling in the UAE:
- Government Initiatives: The UAE government has been proactive in promoting AI adoption. Initiatives such as the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 aim to position the country as a global leader in AI by fostering a culture of innovation and upskilling the workforce.
- Economic Diversification: As part of its Vision 2021, the UAE is focusing on diversifying its economy away from oil dependency. AI is seen as a key enabler of this diversification, with applications across various sectors such as healthcare, finance, and logistics.
- Competitive Job Market: With AI rapidly transforming industries, there is a growing demand for professionals with AI skills. Upskilling in AI not only enhances job prospects but also positions professionals to take on more strategic roles within their organizations.
- Global Trends: The global shift towards AI and digital transformation is also influencing the UAE’s approach. Staying competitive on the global stage requires a workforce that is adept at leveraging AI technologies.
The Role of Coursera
Coursera’s role in this upskilling surge cannot be overstated. The platform offers a wide range of AI courses in partnership with top universities and tech companies. These courses are designed to be accessible and flexible, allowing learners to upskill at their own pace. Coursera’s emphasis on practical, real-world applications ensures that learners can immediately apply their new skills in their professional contexts.
Enrollment in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) courses in the UAE has skyrocketed by 1,102 percent over the past year, significantly outpacing both regional and global trends, according to Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2024.
The UAE’s enrollment rate has exceeded the Middle East and North Africa’s 861 percent year-on-year growth and the global rate of 1,060 percent, underscoring the increasing interest among UAE learners in advancing their AI and machine learning skills.
“Compared to other markets, the UAE has a higher number of expats, so the workforce structure may be more inclined to adopt technology-related or technology-impacted roles,” explained Nikolaz Foucaud, Coursera’s Managing Director in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The report indicates that this surge positions the Emirates at the forefront of AI education globally, ranking third in the GenAI sector after the US and China. Coursera attributes this growth to a heightened interest among UAE learners in acquiring vital AI and machine learning skills.
However, Saudi Arabia leads the way in the Middle East overall for GenAI course enrollment, with 1,788 percent year-on-year growth. “The launch of ChatGPT as a global phenomenon has undoubtedly spurred an appetite for learning,” said Mr. Foucaud, highlighting the continued momentum of AI curiosity following OpenAI’s introduction of ChatGPT in late 2022.
Skill Proficiency and Future Prospects
Regarding overall skills proficiency, the UAE leads the MENA region and ranks 34th globally in business, technology, and data science. Despite this, there is a pressing need to enhance technology skills proficiency, which is currently at 42 percent. The top skills sought by UAE learners include leadership development, resilience, blockchain, and supply chain systems, aligning with roles such as operations manager, IT project manager, and business analyst.
“Given the job titles of primary interest to learners, there is a heightened requirement for technology skills compared to other countries,” Mr. Foucaud said. “To meet the demands of local employers, we see that the expectation for technology assessments could be even higher.”
The MENA region, driven by significant investments in technology infrastructure and logistics, is poised to become a leader in digital transformation and trade, according to the report. Additionally, establishing The Council of Arab Ministers for Cybersecurity during the 2023 Arab League Summit underscored the region’s proactive approach to cybersecurity, resulting in a 17 percent year-over-year increase in cybersecurity course enrollments.
Balancing Technology and Human Skills
“The urgency of understanding the technology has never been so high, and it’s not just ChatGPT-related,” Mr. Foucaud said. “It’s more about the realization that AI is becoming a tangible reality in people’s lives,” noting the quickening pace of AI introduction in corporate environments.
He also mentioned that the potentially impersonal aspects of AI are creating renewed interest in other qualities for those seeking an edge in the job market. “When you speak to employers, they emphasize skills that AI disruption cannot easily replace or enhance in the short term – social skills, human skills, interpersonal skills, the ability to collaborate, lead teams, and communicate effectively, including public speaking,” he said.
Coursera’s Role and Gender Inclusivity
The UAE ranks third globally for training the highest percentage of its labor force on Coursera. As of the first quarter of this year, the UAE had more than 1 million users on the platform, with a median age of 35. The country also holds the highest percentage of its population learning on Coursera.
Women in the UAE represent 33 percent of Coursera learners, with 27 percent pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. In Saudi Arabia, 28 percent of learners are female, with 33 percent in STEM fields.
Despite these advances, the report underscores the importance of accessible, career-focused skill development and initiatives to promote gender inclusivity in online learning.
The UAE’s burgeoning interest in AI upskilling, as highlighted by Coursera’s report, is a testament to the nation’s forward-thinking approach to technological innovation and workforce development. As AI continues to reshape industries, the UAE’s commitment to equipping its workforce with cutting-edge skills will be a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness.
By embracing AI upskilling, the UAE is not only preparing its professionals for the future but also reinforcing its position as a leader in the global AI landscape. Whether through government initiatives, corporate training programs, or individual learning endeavors, the UAE is demonstrating a clear and unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of AI for a prosperous future.
