What Does the UAE's New AI Academy Teach Senior Execs?
The C-suite sets tone, direction and culture. But what if leaders lack a basic understanding of AI, a grasp of practical application or literacy in ethics, bias or compliance?
The short answer: adoption across the organisation can stall. And while no one expects CEOs to get down in the weeds with the technology, tailored and specific C-level training is critical for modern organisations.
That’s particularly true in light of the growing numbers of newly appointed Chief AI Officers (CAIOs), senior execs expected to guide enterprise-level AI adoption, regulatory alignment and long-term competitiveness.
The UAE is taking steps to solve the challenge, introducing the region’s first executive AI programme specifically for CAIOs.
Developed to serve both public and private sector demand for senior AI leadership, the new training supports key decision-makers responsible for enterprise-wide AI deployments.
Building top-down AI leadership
The AI Academy programme is the result of collaboration between Abu Dhabi School of Management and Polynome AI Academy, a Dubai-based AI solutions provider.
Designed for executives, the bespoke curriculum helps senior leaders gain practical capabilities in enterprise AI operations – crucial considering 69% of organisations in the Middle East plan to increase AI investment.
From early November 2025, the two-week programme will target current and aspiring C-level heads including Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), Chief AI Officers and digital transformation leaders.
These roles increasingly lead core functions in enterprise AI strategy, moving beyond traditional IT responsibilities to take ownership of AI’s business value and organisational risk.
The course is made up of 10 modules covering system architecture, deployment strategies and governance structures – a mix of practical deployment strategies, operational best practices and compliance.
Fuelled by enterprise expertise
The programme is built on a partnership with global tech giant Nvidia, whose products power many of the major AI applications on the market, from data centres to edge computing.
By being involved, the firm helps execs gain exposure to enterprise-grade tools and real-world systems that run large AI models.
Alexander Khanin, Founder of Polynome Group, says the programme's practical approach reflects the experience of those who have already managed scaled AI rollouts: "What makes this programme unique is that it was designed by leaders who have implemented AI at scale.
"Participants will leave with execution-ready strategies, direct access to enterprise tools and membership in a powerful peer network of global AI leaders.”
By drawing on technology companies and regional demand, the initiative aims to strengthen AI deployment readiness across the Middle East and North Africa region.
It also aligns with the UAE’s AI Strategy 2031, a national plan to position the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
The government projects that AI could add over US$96bn to the UAE’s gross domestic product by 2031. Federal bodies and agencies in Dubai have already begun appointing Chief AI Officers, underlining the strategic importance of the role in both public governance and enterprise strategy.
Blending academia and practical learning
The likes of Oxford University, ETH Zurich, Carnegie Mellon University, Khalifa University and Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence will take the lead on instruction.
They’ll be joined by execs from organisations such as Nvidia, AMD, telecommunications provider e&, AI company G42 and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory contribute industry knowledge.
The idea is that, by combining academia with shop-floor business knowledge, the course will address the gap between AI theory and the operational realities of deploying AI at scale within an enterprise.
Dr Tayeb Kamali, Chairman of the board of trustees at Abu Dhabi School of Management, says leadership must be ready to meet those challenges: “In today’s fast-changing landscape, visionary and strategic leadership is critical to unlocking the full potential of AI in a responsible way that meets the needs of businesses and society alike.
Abu Dhabi School of Management, accredited by the Commission of Academic Accreditation, maintains academic partnerships with more than 20 institutions globally.
Polynome Group, its partner in the AI Academy, focuses on enterprise AI infrastructure and holds certification as the only Nvidia Solution Advisor across the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council region.
Graduates will enter an alumni network of Chief AI Officers and senior enterprise leaders across the AI sector.
Dr Kamali says the programme “equips leaders with the strategic foresight, ethical foundation and practical skills required to leverage the exciting opportunities AI creates, while strengthening the UAE’s role as a global hub for technological excellence.”
