Nearly half of the UAE workforce needs to upgrade their skills, prompting a surge in interest for generative AI courses as employees seek to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.
Around 50% of UAE employees require skill enhancement, with many enrolling in generative AI courses.
The demand for generative AI training in the UAE is growing rapidly, as more employees recognize the importance of upgrading their skills to remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven job market. With forecasts indicating that nearly half of the country’s workforce will require upskilling by 2030, professionals across industries are proactively turning to Gen AI courses as a way to enhance their career prospects and adapt to the evolving workplace. These courses, which cover the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, machine learning applications, and practical usage of generative AI tools, are helping employees develop the capabilities necessary to navigate a digital-first professional environment.
Industry leaders note that this trend is not limited to employees seeking individual growth. Companies across the UAE are investing heavily in workforce development, recognizing that organizational success in the modern economy depends on equipping staff with skills that align with technological advancements. From banking and finance to healthcare, retail, and logistics, businesses are integrating AI-focused upskilling initiatives into their employee development programs. The goal is to ensure teams are proficient in emerging technologies, capable of leveraging AI to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and drive innovation.
Executives highlight that the pace of technological change in the workplace has accelerated, making it essential for both employees and employers to act swiftly. Artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, is transforming the way businesses operate, influencing decision-making processes, automation, and even customer engagement strategies. Professionals who embrace AI learning early on are better positioned to contribute meaningfully to their organizations, take on advanced roles, and stay ahead of peers in an increasingly competitive labor market.
The growing popularity of generative AI courses also reflects a broader shift in workplace culture. Lifelong learning and continuous skill enhancement are becoming central to career planning, as traditional skill sets alone are no longer sufficient to guarantee career stability. Companies that invest in upskilling initiatives benefit from a more agile, future-ready workforce that can adapt to evolving business needs while reducing the risk of skill gaps that could impact performance.In summary, the UAE is witnessing a surge in generative AI education, driven by both employees eager to advance their careers and organizations committed to fostering a technologically competent workforce. With nearly half of the workforce projected to need upskilling by 2030, Gen AI training is becoming a strategic priority, ensuring that both individuals and companies remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
The surge in interest in generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) training is emerging as one of the most notable trends in the workforce education landscape, both globally and within the UAE. Industry leaders are observing unprecedented growth in enrollments for Gen AI courses, reflecting the recognition among professionals that AI skills are becoming essential for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving job market. Greg Hart, the Global CEO of Coursera, highlighted the dramatic rise in demand for such content, noting that the trend is not confined to a single region but is evident across the Gulf and around the world.
According to Hart, the scale of engagement with Gen AI learning resources has grown at an extraordinary rate. Over the past year, there has been a significant acceleration in global enrollments for courses and content related to generative AI. To put this into perspective, Coursera’s data indicates that in 2023, the platform was witnessing only one enrollment per minute in Gen AI content. By last year, this number had increased to eight enrollments per minute, reflecting a rapid uptake of interest in AI skill development. Now, in 2025, this trend has exploded even further, with an average of 14 enrollments per minute globally, underscoring the intensifying appetite for AI knowledge and the realization that proficiency in this area is no longer optional for professionals who want to remain relevant in their careers.
The UAE, in particular, is emerging as a hub for this surge in Gen AI education. Coursera’s regional data shows that learners in the UAE have registered for 131,000 Gen AI-related courses over the past year. This figure represents more than a twofold increase compared to the previous year, highlighting the rapid adoption of AI learning among professionals in the Emirates. Hart emphasized that this growth is indicative of a broader movement in the region, where employees, students, and even corporate teams are increasingly recognizing the strategic value of understanding generative AI technologies. The rise in enrollments demonstrates a growing awareness that AI skills are becoming critical across multiple sectors, from finance and healthcare to education and logistics.
This unprecedented interest in Gen AI content is being driven by several factors. First, the practical applications of AI are becoming more visible and tangible in the workplace. Professionals are seeing how AI tools can enhance productivity, automate routine tasks, and provide insights that were previously difficult or time-consuming to obtain. As organizations adopt AI to gain competitive advantages, employees are motivated to gain hands-on knowledge of these tools to improve their performance and career prospects.
Second, the global labor market is undergoing a transformation where traditional skill sets are no longer sufficient to ensure career stability. Lifelong learning has become a central tenet of professional development, and courses on generative AI represent one of the fastest-growing areas of upskilling. Hart noted that the trend is not confined to the UAE; similar patterns are observed worldwide, reflecting a universal recognition that AI literacy is becoming a fundamental requirement in modern professional environments.
The data also indicates that the growth trajectory for Gen AI education is steep and accelerating. While the UAE has seen more than double the enrollments year-on-year, the global figures illustrate a remarkable shift in learning behavior. Professionals are engaging with AI-related content at unprecedented rates, often integrating these courses into their ongoing education plans, corporate training initiatives, or individual professional development paths. Coursera’s figures highlight the transformative impact of generative AI on the education ecosystem, signaling a structural shift in how skills are acquired and how learners approach professional growth.
Hart’s observations underscore the broader implications of this trend. The rapid expansion of Gen AI course enrollments points to a fundamental shift in workforce priorities. Employees are increasingly proactive about acquiring skills that align with emerging technologies, while organizations are recognizing the strategic need to foster AI literacy among their teams. The trend reflects both individual ambition and corporate necessity, with learners in the UAE and globally acknowledging that Gen AI proficiency will be a critical determinant of career growth, employability, and organizational success in the coming years.
In conclusion, the spike in Gen AI learning enrollments represents more than just a temporary curiosity; it signifies a long-term transformation in workforce education. From one enrollment per minute in 2023 to fourteen enrollments per minute globally in 2025, and with 131,000 enrollments in the UAE alone, the data demonstrates that generative AI is becoming an essential skill set for the modern professional. Hart’s insights highlight how both individuals and organizations are embracing this technological evolution, ensuring that the workforce is prepared for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly digitalizing world. This surge in AI education not only reflects the rising importance of technological skills but also signals a broader cultural shift toward continuous learning and adaptability, marking a pivotal moment in the way professionals approach career development and organizational growth.
The UAE continues to emerge as a major hub for online learning, with Coursera reporting more than 3 million total enrollments from the country, including 165,000 registrations in the third quarter of 2025 alone. These figures underscore the rapid adoption of digital education tools among professionals, students, and lifelong learners, reflecting an increasing recognition that continuous learning is essential in a rapidly evolving job market. The surge in enrollments is particularly notable within the context of the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where Coursera has recorded approximately 12.1 million registered learners, representing an 18 percent year-on-year growth. The UAE, in particular, is demonstrating slightly faster growth compared to the regional average, indicating strong local demand for skill development and professional upskilling.
One of the driving forces behind this trend is the rising interest in generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) and its applications across various sectors. Over the past year, Coursera has more than doubled the number of AI-focused courses available in its catalogue, now offering over 1,100 Gen AI courses. This expansion reflects not only growing learner demand but also the increasing relevance of AI in transforming the workplace. Professionals are seeking to acquire practical knowledge of AI tools and applications that can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and drive innovation across industries.
During a recent interview , Greg Hart, Global CEO of Coursera, emphasized that the focus for employees is shifting from simply understanding AI to learning how to effectively integrate it into their daily work tasks. Hart explained that AI is not necessarily replacing entire jobs; rather, it is transforming specific aspects of roles by automating repetitive and mundane tasks. This automation allows employees to reallocate their time and energy toward more complex, strategic, or creative responsibilities, ultimately enhancing productivity and job satisfaction. By using AI to handle routine work, professionals are freed to focus on higher-level tasks that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and human judgment—capabilities that remain uniquely valuable in the workforce.
Hart also highlighted the concept of augmentation through AI, where employees leverage technology as a supportive tool rather than as a replacement. “If AI is handling the more repetitive or routine tasks effectively, that frees up time for the employee to engage in other activities that require higher-order skills,” he said. In essence, AI serves as an enabler, allowing workers to optimize their workflow and focus on areas where human expertise adds the greatest value. This approach is particularly relevant in sectors such as finance, healthcare, marketing, logistics, and education, where AI-driven tools can streamline data analysis, automate reporting, assist in content creation, or enhance decision-making processes.
The rapid adoption of AI-focused learning in the UAE aligns with broader workforce transformation trends. Companies are increasingly recognizing that their employees need to be proficient not just in traditional job skills but also in digital and AI competencies to remain competitive in a global economy. Upskilling programs and online courses are becoming critical components of workforce development strategies, helping organizations prepare their teams for a future where AI integration will be a standard part of daily operations. For individual learners, mastering AI tools represents a significant opportunity to advance careers, enhance efficiency, and remain relevant in an environment where technology is reshaping nearly every industry.
Hart’s observations also underscore the evolving role of education platforms like Coursera in meeting these workforce needs. By providing accessible, high-quality courses in AI and other emerging technologies, online learning platforms are empowering employees to adapt to changing job requirements and acquire skills in real time, without the constraints of traditional classroom learning. This democratization of education ensures that both professionals and organizations can keep pace with technological change, fostering a workforce that is resilient, adaptable, and capable of leveraging AI as a tool for innovation and productivity.
In summary, the UAE’s growth in Coursera enrollments—more than 3 million total with 165,000 in the third quarter—reflects the country’s strong appetite for continuous learning and professional development. The doubling of Gen AI course offerings and the emphasis on learning how to integrate AI into day-to-day tasks illustrates a shift toward practical, applied learning. As Hart explained, AI is not replacing jobs but enhancing them, allowing employees to focus on higher-level responsibilities while automation handles repetitive tasks. This trend highlights the critical intersection of technology, education, and workforce development, signaling a future where AI and human expertise work hand in hand to drive efficiency, innovation, and professional growth across the UAE and beyond.
The pace of technological adoption in the UAE is accelerating rapidly, particularly with regard to artificial intelligence (AI), and this has brought workforce upskilling into sharp focus. Industry experts and corporate leaders in the region are highlighting that a significant portion of the workforce will need to enhance their skills in the coming years to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving professional landscape. According to executives from Ramco Systems, a technology and enterprise solutions company, the trend toward AI adoption is not only transforming the way organizations operate but is also reshaping approaches to employee development across both the public and private sectors.
Abinav Raja, Managing Director at Ramco Systems, emphasized that AI is fundamentally changing business priorities. He noted that companies are increasingly focused on the speed of implementation when it comes to AI technologies, which creates an environment where employees have more opportunities to experiment with new tools and applications. “AI has changed a lot,” Raja said. “People will see a lot of companies focusing on rapid deployment, and this makes it much easier for employees to explore and try new products, solutions, and workflows.” His comments highlight a key aspect of the AI revolution: while the technology itself is important, the organizational willingness to adopt and implement AI at scale is equally critical for its success. In the UAE, this approach has created a dynamic ecosystem where employees can learn by engaging with AI tools in real-world scenarios rather than merely studying them in abstract terms.
Echoing this perspective, Sandesh Bilagi, Chief Operating Officer of Ramco Systems, pointed to the pivotal role that the UAE’s public sector is playing in driving AI adoption. He explained that government initiatives and large-scale digital transformation projects are establishing benchmarks and frameworks that private sector companies are now emulating. At the same time, the private sector is making substantial investments in AI technologies and workforce development to remain competitive and innovative. “The public sector is leading the AI drive in the UAE, but the private sector is also spending massively on AI solutions and upskilling programs,” Bilagi said. These efforts are contributing to a wider regional trend where organizations recognize that technology adoption must go hand-in-hand with human capital development, ensuring that employees are empowered to leverage AI tools effectively.
Importantly, Bilagi addressed a common concern surrounding AI in the workplace: the fear that automation and artificial intelligence might lead to job losses. He dismissed this notion in the context of the UAE and the broader region, emphasizing that AI is more about enhancing work rather than replacing it. “I don’t think AI is going to impact the way we do work. It might change the methods or the processes, and there may be temporary fears about job security, but overall, people should not worry about losing their roles,” he said. His remarks underline a broader regional sentiment that AI is intended to augment human capabilities, freeing employees from repetitive tasks so they can focus on higher-level, strategic, and creative work.The focus, according to Bilagi, is on upskilling and employee empowerment. Companies across sectors are actively investing in training programs to ensure that their workforce is equipped with the skills needed to succeed in an AI-driven environment. Far from trying to reduce headcount, organizations are designing programs to enhance employee productivity, efficiency, and job satisfaction. “Companies here in the UAE and the wider region are not asking how to reduce their workforce. They are asking how to improve the work experience, provide employees with the right tools, and enable them to perform better. That has been a consistent message I’ve observed throughout the region,” Bilagi said during a recent interview. This approach reflects a growing recognition that AI adoption is most successful when employees are prepared, trained, and confident in using these technologies.
The UAE’s approach to workforce development in the AI era also reflects a proactive and forward-looking strategy. Unlike in some global markets where AI is perceived primarily as a threat to jobs, companies in the UAE are taking the view that technology should complement human labor. By providing employees with access to AI training, advanced analytics tools, and digital learning platforms, organizations are positioning their workforce to thrive in a future where technology and human intelligence work in tandem. The emphasis on continuous learning ensures that employees are not only able to adapt to new AI systems but can also use them to enhance decision-making, improve service delivery, and innovate in their respective fields.
Furthermore, the collaborative environment fostered by both the public and private sectors in the UAE has amplified the impact of AI upskilling initiatives. Public sector adoption often sets the standard for technology integration, providing case studies, best practices, and pilot programs that private companies can learn from and implement. Meanwhile, private companies are developing specialized training programs and workshops that allow employees to experiment with AI applications relevant to their roles, from automation of routine tasks to more advanced predictive analytics and decision-support systems.
In essence, the UAE is taking a holistic approach to AI workforce transformation. By combining government-led initiatives, private sector investment, and individual employee engagement in learning, the country is creating a future-ready workforce capable of navigating technological change. Executives like Raja and Bilagi emphasize that the emphasis is not on replacing humans with AI, but rather on enhancing capabilities, increasing efficiency, and providing employees with opportunities to grow professionally.
In conclusion, the AI revolution in the UAE is less about job displacement and more about workforce empowerment. Over half of the country’s workforce will require upskilling in the coming years to adapt to new technologies, and both public and private sectors are actively investing in training and development initiatives to meet this need. AI is transforming the nature of work, automating routine tasks, and creating opportunities for employees to focus on more meaningful, strategic, and creative responsibilities. Far from instilling fear, these technological changes are motivating companies to invest in their people, providing the tools and training necessary to ensure that employees can perform at their best and contribute to the organization’s success. As the UAE continues to lead the region in digital transformation, the focus on AI-driven upskilling demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to workforce development that balances technological innovation with human capital growth, creating a model that other countries in the Gulf and beyond are likely to emulate.
