UAE Leaders Graduate from MBZUAI AI Executive Program

Thirty-seven senior leaders from UAE organizations have successfully graduated from the fifth cohort of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence’s (MBZUAI) Executive Program (MEP). Over 16 weeks, these participants were mentored by leading AI experts, delving into AI’s transformative potential for societal challenges and sustainability across various industries.

This year’s cohort was notably diverse, comprising leaders from energy, finance, law, transportation, logistics, health, sports, and education. Notably, 57% were from the public sector, 86% were UAE nationals, and 68% held C-suite positions or higher, including 19% serving as undersecretaries, secretaries-general, CEOs, or director generals.

Organizations represented included the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, UAE Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Department of Government Enablement (DGE), Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, M42, Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Etihad Airways, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), and Emirates Post.

The fifth MEP cohort was the first to experience the program’s enhanced format, extended by four weeks and emphasizing practical AI applications across sectors. Dubbed the “Cohort of Sustainability,” it celebrated gender balance, with nearly half of the participants being women. This diversity enriched the capstone projects, which addressed real-world challenges in support of the UAE’s second Year of Sustainability.

Highlighted projects included an AI system to enhance Abu Dhabi’s traffic management, an app for chronic disease management, and an AI platform to boost agricultural productivity. Other projects aimed at sector-specific advancements, such as a personalized learning platform for schools and strategies to bridge academia, industry, investors, and government to foster innovation.

MBZUAI Provost Professor Timothy Baldwin commented, “The fifth MEP cohort demonstrates the power of AI when combined with leadership skills and innovative thinking. Their solutions have the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”

The judging panel awarded FalconVision as the top project for its proposal to collect data for the athletic development of children, benefiting both government and private stakeholders.

Participants engaged with ADNOC, DGE, ENEC, and Al Tamimi & Company, applying their AI insights in practical, industry-relevant settings beyond classroom learning.