Abu Dhabi Launches AiNative AI Training Program
Abu Dhabi has launched AiNative, a new AI training programme for government employees and the wider public. The Department of Government Enablement, or DGE, announced the initiative.
The programme was developed with OpenAI, Microsoft, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, or MBZUAI. Furthermore, AiNative aims to train 20,000 government employees by the end of 2026. The initiative supports Abu Dhabi’s goal of becoming the world’s first AI-native government by 2027.
DGE says the programme will build practical AI skills across government and society. Therefore, the training focuses on using AI confidently, responsibly, and effectively in daily work and everyday activities.
AI Training Across Abu Dhabi Government
AiNative offers separate learning journeys for government employees, the public, and senior government leaders. The government programme introduces employees to tools including ChatGPT, Codex, and Microsoft 365 Copilot.
In addition, specialised certifications will follow in areas such as coding and data. These courses will expand the programme beyond basic AI literacy and address specific professional functions.
The executive track targets department leaders. Meanwhile, the government learning journey focuses on practical applications that employees can use in their daily responsibilities.
DGE owns the curriculum and developed it with OpenAI, Microsoft, and MBZUAI. However, the programme remains technology-agnostic, allowing DGE to add other partners as the initiative expands.
Wesam Lootah, Director General of GovDigital at DGE, said AI will create lasting value when people have the knowledge and confidence to use it properly. He added that AiNative places those capabilities at the centre of Abu Dhabi’s AI programme.
Public Access Through Tomouh
The programme will also extend AI education to citizens and residents. They will access the public learning journey through Tomouh, DGE’s AI-powered learning application. Users can log in through UAE Pass.
The public programme focuses on practical uses of AI in everyday life. For example, participants can learn about managing personal finances, running a small business, finding employment, studying, and creating online content responsibly.
Furthermore, the public learning journey will use the free version of ChatGPT. This approach gives residents and citizens a direct way to develop basic AI skills without requiring access to paid enterprise tools.
AiNative is rolling out in phases. An initial government pilot is already underway, while the public programme will follow.
The initiative also builds on Abu Dhabi’s earlier expansion of workplace AI. In July, the government announced the Frontier Employee Programme, which expanded access to Microsoft 365 Copilot for 35,000 government employees across the public sector.
Building an AI-Native Government
AiNative adds a skills-development layer to Abu Dhabi’s broader AI transformation programme. Earlier initiatives have focused on deploying AI tools and building the infrastructure needed to support them. Now, the government is placing greater emphasis on workforce readiness.
Microsoft 365 Copilot has already reached 35,000 Abu Dhabi Government employees through the Frontier Employee Programme. In addition, the deployment uses Advanced Data Residency to keep AI processing within the UAE.
DGE is also establishing an AI Factory across government. The programme targets hundreds of AI use cases and more than 1,000 agents across the public sector. These systems could support functions such as document processing, constituent queries, and policy analysis.
OpenAI’s Head of Enterprise for MENA, Farouk El Hamzawi, said AI-confident people will be essential to becoming an AI-native nation. Similarly, MBZUAI President Eric Xing highlighted lifelong learning and responsible use as important elements of the transition.
Consequently, AiNative is designed to connect access to AI with practical skills and responsible adoption. As Abu Dhabi expands AI across public services, the programme could help establish a common level of AI literacy among government employees, leaders, citizens, and residents.
The initiative therefore forms part of a wider government strategy. By combining workforce training, AI infrastructure, enterprise tools, and public education, Abu Dhabi is building the human capabilities needed to support its 2027 AI-native government target.
