The UAE is embedding AI literacy into its national strategy to strengthen workforce skills, support responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and enhance economic competitiveness, according to a new report by Coursera.
The report, Navigating GCC AI Regulation: A Playbook for Building an AI-Literate & Compliant Workforce, examines AI regulation across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. It says the UAE has developed one of the region’s most comprehensive AI frameworks, integrating AI education into its broader economic and digital transformation agenda.
According to the report, initiatives such as the National AI Strategy 2031 and the UAE AI Charter place AI literacy at the centre of the country’s approach to governance, workforce development and innovation.
The report notes that, unlike many regulatory models in Europe and North America where AI policy and talent development often evolve separately, the UAE links workforce AI capability directly to its economic diversification goals.
Kais Zribi, Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said: “In the UAE, successful AI adoption is fundamentally dependent on having a workforce equipped with the skills to use these technologies responsibly. With foundational AI proficiency becoming a critical driver for both regulatory readiness and organizational resilience, businesses that proactively prioritize upskilling will be better positioned to navigate evolving regulations, accelerate innovation, and unlock AI’s full value.”
The report says organisations are increasingly expected to build regulatory compliance into AI systems, governance processes and employee learning programmes from the outset. It recommends role-based AI training that addresses privacy requirements, cybersecurity standards and AI model governance.
It also highlights the UAE’s efforts to expand AI education through national initiatives. AI is being introduced as a mandatory subject in public schools, while programmes such as One Million Prompters and AI for All are aimed at expanding practical AI skills. Public-private partnerships are also supporting AI training for students, educators and government employees, while new initiatives seek to accelerate the adoption of agentic AI across the private sector.
The report warns that organisations that fail to invest in AI literacy could face widening skills gaps and reduced readiness to meet regulatory requirements. In a region where governments are both regulators and major adopters of AI, this could affect compliance, procurement opportunities and long-term competitiveness.
To help organisations prepare, the report outlines nine best practices for developing an AI-literate workforce. These include embedding AI literacy into governance frameworks, identifying AI-related risks and skills gaps, aligning training with evolving regulations, and linking AI upskilling to Emiratization and workforce planning. It also stresses the importance of continuous learning as AI technologies and regulatory expectations continue to evolve.
