Abu Dhabi launches AI training for 20,000 government employees

Abu Dhabi has launched AiNative, an AI-skills programme for government employees. The Department of Government Enablement says it aims to train 20,000 staff by the end of 2026. The programme was developed with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

Its curriculum includes foundational instruction and a separate track for senior officials, covering tools such as ChatGPT, Codex and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Specialised courses are planned for staff working in taxation, procurement, legal affairs and finance. Guidance on handling sensitive government information is also part of the training.

AiNative forms part of Abu Dhabi's 2025–2027 Digital Strategy. Public courses through the Tomouh learning app are planned for a later phase, though no general launch date has been announced. The target of 20,000 employees by the end of 2026 is distinct from a separate estimate of about 23,000 by early 2027.