Chief AI Officer Executive Programme Opens Second Cohort

The AI Academy has opened applications for the second cohort of its Executive Programme for Chief AI Officer (CAIO), signalling another phase of structured AI leadership development. The initiative targets senior decision-makers across government and industry, aiming to strengthen executive capabilities for responsible AI deployment at organisational and national levels.

The new intake follows a first cohort that certified 35 senior executives from government, defence, energy, healthcare, technology, and national infrastructure sectors. Participants came from the UAE, the wider GCC, and selected international markets, positioning the programme as a regional hub for advanced AI leadership training.

Cohort One followed an intensive curriculum that blended expert-led masterclasses, interactive workshops, and applied exercises. The learning journey covered responsible AI governance, regulatory alignment, financial implications, and the complexities of scaling AI across large organisations. This structure aimed to build leaders who can align AI strategy with policy and fiscal realities.

The practical focus extended to six capstone projects designed to address real policy and operational challenges. Teams developed concepts such as a GCC-wide AI regulatory intelligence platform and a unified national AI layer to support government services. Other projects examined AI-driven healthcare transformation models and strategies for managing rising AI-related energy demand.

The second cohort of the Executive Programme for Chief AI Officer is structured to deepen this impact rather than simply repeat it. The design combines high-level academic insight, peer exchange among senior leaders, and engagement with practitioners currently implementing AI strategies across key sectors in the region and abroad.

Cohort Two is aimed at experienced executives from government entities and private enterprises who hold responsibility for AI or digital transformation. Participants will work closely with global AI practitioners, policymakers, and technologists who have overseen large-scale AI rollouts, handled complex regulatory requirements, and advised boards and national bodies. The emphasis is on execution, strategic judgement, and measurable outcomes.

Executive Programme for Chief AI Officer anchored by Polynome Group and ADSM

The programme is delivered in partnership with Polynome Group and the Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), which supported the first cohort and shaped the academic framework. Dr. Tayeb A. Kamali, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), stated, "This programme reflects our commitment to nurturing leaders who can bridge advanced technology with sound governance and strategic decision-making. The achievements of the inaugural cohort confirm the value of executive education that truly meets national and regional priorities."

Reflecting on the first cohort’s outcomes, Alexander Khanin, Founder of Polynome Group, said, "The success of the first cohort shows just how important structured, executive-level AI leadership programmes are. As AI becomes central to competitiveness and performance, these leaders are now equipped to turn potential into real, responsible impact." The second intake is intended to extend this foundation across a wider network of decision-makers.

Graduates from the upcoming cohort will join an invitation-only global CAIO network created through the Executive Programme for Chief AI Officer. The network is designed to support long-term collaboration, exchange insights on regulation and deployment, and maintain strategic dialogue between sectors and regions. This structure is expected to strengthen ongoing AI governance and implementation across the UAE, the GCC, and international markets.

With inputs from WAM