Sheikh Hamdan Meets with Microsoft President

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, met with Brad Smith, Vice Chairman and President of Microsoft, during the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2024. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in advanced technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to drive innovation and foster sustainable digital solutions.

Sheikh Hamdan lauded Microsoft’s influential role in AI, commending the company’s commitment to pioneering technologies that are shaping the future. The meeting, attended by Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, explored potential collaborations to advance the UAE’s strategic sectors and support its digital economy.

A significant highlight of the meeting was the announcement of an ambitious Microsoft program aimed at training one million UAE residents in AI skills by 2027. This initiative builds on Microsoft’s recent efforts to equip 100,000 government employees across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah with AI expertise, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to addressing the global AI skills gap. Targeted at government leaders, developers, and the general public, the program seeks to cultivate a highly skilled, AI-empowered workforce to support the UAE’s ongoing growth.

Brad Smith emphasized Microsoft’s vision, stating, “To benefit from AI, people need to learn to use AI. That’s why we are helping train one million people across the UAE economy to get the most from our technology.”

This initiative invites collaboration with UAE government entities and businesses to integrate AI into their operations, drive productivity, and foster everyday AI usage for citizens. By equipping residents with essential AI skills, Microsoft aims to fuel productivity and support the UAE’s digital economy ambitions.

Omar Sultan Al Olama further highlighted the alignment of Microsoft’s AI initiative with the UAE’s national vision to become a global AI hub, stating, “Microsoft’s commitment to AI skills aligns with the UAE’s vision to enhance technical capabilities and ensure AI accessibility across every resident, government agency, and business in the UAE.”

Through partnerships across sectors, Microsoft will offer a variety of AI training resources, empowering individuals and organizations to incorporate AI into both personal and professional environments, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leader in the digital economy.