AI And Cybersecurity Winter School At Khalifa University Backed By Google.org

The first Winter School on Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security at Khalifa University drew 270 participants from across the UAE, underscoring strong regional interest in advanced digital defence skills. Backed by Google.org, the UAE Cyber Security Council, and CyberE71, the intensive programme targeted practical competence in cyber defence and secure AI design for students and professionals.

Attendees represented a wide range of backgrounds, including high school and university students, PhD candidates, teaching staff, cybersecurity specialists, and employees from public and private organisations. A total of 100 people joined on campus and 170 participated online. All participants received certificates endorsed by Khalifa University and the UAE Cyber Security Council, recognising advanced preparation for cyber threats.

The Winter School on Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security featured a multidisciplinary curriculum that linked technical skills, theoretical foundations, and governance issues. Teaching sessions covered AI and cybersecurity in relation to technology and geopolitics, human factors shaping digital risk, and AI-driven cyber insecurity. The programme also highlighted AI and national security, cyber threat intelligence, and incident response operations.

Deep technical blocks focused on Graph Neural Networks for hardware security and quantum computing in the era of AI and cybersecurity, helping participants understand next-generation attack and defence models. Additional modules examined cybersecurity policy, governance, and compliance with emphasis on UAE frameworks, along with digital forensics in AI-rich environments and a hands-on Capture-the-Flag cybersecurity simulation exercise.

The initiative formed part of one of the most comprehensive Cybersecurity Seminars Program in the region and was led by Principal Investigator Dr. Luigi Martino. The opening session included a high-level panel with partner representatives: Fatima Alneyadi, Cyber E71 Programme Director, Samer Abdullatif, Regional Executive of MEA Public Sector in Google Cloud, and YuYing Mak, Project Officer, Virtual Routes.

During the event, organisers recognised institutional and individual contributions that enabled the Winter School on Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, received an honour for sustained support to the programme. CyberE71 was named the leading Local Community Organization of the Khalifa University Programme, reflecting its engagement with local cybersecurity communities and innovation initiatives.

AI and cybersecurity Winter School: strategic vision and skills development

Strategic partners highlighted how the Winter School on Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security responds to changing threat landscapes shaped by AI. "There is a critical demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals as new technologies, like AI, present both opportunities and threats to the field," said Dr. Wieland Holfelder, Vice President Engineering, Regional CTO for Google Cloud Security and Sovereignty. "We’re proud to support universities across EMEA to help build a strong, diverse, and AI-savvy cybersecurity workforce.

Prof. Bayan Sharif, Provost, Khalifa University, said, "The Winter School on Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, organized with support from Google.org, reflects Khalifa University’s commitment to building critical human capital in cybersecurity and AI. By partnering the UAE Cyber Security Council and CyberE71, we are equipping the region with a multidisciplinary talent pool capable of tackling digital security challenges head-on. This initiative directly aligns with the UAE’s vision to become a global hub for advanced technology and artificial intelligence."

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti stated that the Winter School on Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security builds on nationwide efforts to grow specialised talent and design innovative digital solutions for evolving cyber threats. Dr. Al Kuwaiti noted that the first edition of the Winter School provides a key platform to spread cybersecurity awareness, showcase advanced AI and quantum technologies, and strengthen overall cyber resilience.

Dr. Al Kuwaiti also underlined that these initiatives are central to empowering young people and shaping new generations of cybersecurity and digital security leaders. Innovation, Dr. Al Kuwaiti said, is a core pillar of the UAE’s National Cybersecurity Strategy and a main driver of the national cybersecurity ecosystem. In that context, he explained that the "CyberE71" continue to support and incubate new cybersecurity ideas, protect national achievements, and maintain long-term digital resilience, affirming that CyberE71 aims to empower students and graduates by equipping them with knowledge, enabling them to become successful entrepreneurs in the field of cybersecurity.

With inputs from WAM