Khalifa University of Science and Technology announced that 270 participants attended its inaugural Winter School on Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. The program was organized with support from Google.org, the UAE Cyber Security Council, and CyberE71. It marks an important extension of one of the region’s most comprehensive cybersecurity seminar programs.

The Winter School welcomed 100 in-person and 170 online participants from across the UAE. Certificates were awarded by Khalifa University and the UAE Cyber Security Council, reflecting high-level readiness to tackle cyber threats and build secure AI systems. Attendees included high school and university students, PhD candidates, academic staff, cybersecurity professionals, and representatives from public and private sectors.

The multidisciplinary program combined theory, practical skills, and policy perspectives. Key topics included AI and cybersecurity technology, geopolitics, Graph Neural Networks for hardware security, human factors, quantum computing, cybersecurity policy and governance in the UAE, AI and national security, cyber threat intelligence, incident response, digital forensics, and a hands-on Capture-the-Flag cybersecurity simulation.

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, was honored for his support, while CyberE71 was recognized as the leading Local Community Organization of the Khalifa University program. The opening session, led by Dr. Luigi Martino, featured a high-level panel with Fatima Alneyadi, CyberE71 Programme Director, Samer Abdullatif, Google Cloud MEA Public Sector Executive, and YuYing Mak, Project Officer, Virtual Routes.

Dr. Wieland Holfelder, Vice President Engineering and Regional CTO for Google Cloud Security and Sovereignty, said the initiative addresses the critical demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. Prof. Bayan Sharif, Provost of Khalifa University, highlighted the university’s commitment to building human capital in AI and cybersecurity, supporting the UAE’s vision as a global hub for advanced technology.

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti emphasized that the Winter School promotes cybersecurity awareness and showcases advanced AI and quantum computing technologies. He added that the initiative empowers youth and cultivates the next generation of cybersecurity experts. CyberE71 continues to support innovative ideas, enabling students and graduates to succeed in the field while strengthening national digital resilience.

Khalifa University’s Winter School demonstrates the UAE’s ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation in AI and cybersecurity.

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