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Abu Dhabi Launches AI Training Programme With OpenAI, Microsoft and MBZUAI

Abu Dhabi has launched AiNative, an AI training programme developed with OpenAI, Microsoft and MBZUAI, targeting 20,000 government employees by the end of 2026.
Signing of MoU between Abu Dhabi government and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
October 8, 2026 01:28 PM IST | Written by Supriya Singh | Edited by Vaibhav Jha

The Abu Dhabi government launched AiNative, an AI training programme developed with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), with an aim to train 20,000 government employees by the end of 2026.

The programme announced by the Department of Government Enablement (DGE) at Ai Everything Abu Dhabi, is part of Abu Dhabi’s plan to become the world’s first AI-native government by 2027.

AiNative will offer AI learning programmes for government employees and the wider public, along with a dedicated executive programme for government department leaders.

The government training programme will focus on practical use of AI tools, including ChatGPT, Codex and Microsoft 396 Copilot, to help employees use AI in their daily work.

“Citizens and residents will be able to access the public learning journey via Tomouh, DGE’s AI-powered learning app, by logging in with UAE Pass. The programme will cover practical applications of AI in everyday life, including managing personal finances, running a small business, finding a job, studying and creating content responsibly online, and will be delivered through the free version of ChatGPT,” read an official release.

“DGE owns the curriculum, which has been shaped in collaboration with OpenAI, Microsoft and MBZUAI. AiNative is designed to be open and technology-agnostic, providing flexibility to add further partners over time,” it further added.

AiNative is being rolled out in phases. An initial pilot within the government is already under way, before it will be made public.

The launch of AiNative follows the rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot to 35,000 Abu Dhabi Government employees through the Frontier Employee Programme, announced in July.

“Through AiNative, government employees will gain the practical skills and confidence to use AI responsibly in their everyday work, helping turn powerful tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot into better decisions, greater productivity and stronger public services. We are proud to work alongside DGE, OpenAI and MBZUAI to help build the human capability that will sustain Abu Dhabi’s AI ambitions for the long term,” said Amr Kamel, General Manager, Microsoft UAE.

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Authors

  • AI FrontPage Reporter Supriya Singh

    Supriya Singh is a Reporter at AI FrontPage covering the AI & Education and AI & Jobs beats. She brings six years of print and digital experience, including three years at The Asian Age, where she reported on higher education, Delhi government, and crime. She is based in Delhi-NCR.

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  • Vaibhav Jha, editor and co-founder at AI FrontPage

    Vaibhav Jha is an Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage. In his decade long career in journalism, Vaibhav has reported for publications including The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The New York Times, covering the intersection of technology, policy, and society. Outside work, he’s usually trying to persuade people to watch Anurag Kashyap films.

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