Thirty-Seven UAE Leaders Complete MBZUAI Executive Programme Focused On AI And Sustainability

Thirty-seven senior leaders from various UAE organisations have completed the fifth cohort of the Executive Programme at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). Over 16 weeks, participants were guided by top AI experts to explore AI's potential in solving societal issues and promoting sustainability across different sectors.

The cohort included a diverse group of government and industry leaders from sectors such as energy, finance, law, transportation, logistics, health, sports, and education. Notably, 57% of participants were from the public sector, 86% were UAE nationals, and 68% held C-suite positions or higher. Additionally, 19% served as undersecretaries, secretaries-general, CEOs, or director generals.

This year's programme was themed as the "Cohort of Sustainability," highlighting gender balance with nearly half of the participants being women. This diversity enriched the capstone projects with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Participants applied their AI knowledge to tackle real-world challenges in support of the UAE’s second Year of Sustainability.

The programme was extended by four weeks compared to previous editions and placed greater emphasis on industry applications. Participants engaged in practical learning experiences to apply AI principles across various sectors. Organisations represented included the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Department of Government Enablement (DGE), Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, M42, Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ), ADNOC, Etihad Airways, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), and Emirates Post.

Several capstone projects addressed key national challenges. These included an AI-powered system for improving traffic management in Abu Dhabi; an app targeting chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity; and an AI-driven platform for enhancing agricultural productivity. Other projects aimed at elevating specific sectors in the UAE involved a personalised learning platform for schools and a strategy to foster a sports culture.

MBZUAI Provost Professor Timothy Baldwin stated: "The fifth MEP cohort exemplifies what is possible when talented leaders are empowered with transformative tools like AI. The participants combined their leadership skills with imagination, empathy, and entrepreneurial thinking, showing what ethical AI can achieve to improve lives. Their six AI solutions hold the potential to address some of society’s most pressing challenges, not only in the UAE but around the world."

Winning Project: FalconVision

The judging panel selected FalconVision as the winning project for its proposal to gather data that can be used by government and private stakeholders for identifying and developing athletic talent among children. This project stood out for its innovative approach to leveraging data for societal benefit.

In addition to classroom-based learning sessions, participants visited organisations like ADNOC, DGE, ENEC, and Al Tamimi & Company as part of their community engagement efforts. They worked on their capstone projects to apply their AI insights practically within industry-relevant settings.

With inputs from WAM