Dubai AI tour: Microsoft unveils $15.2 billion UAE investment and plans to upskill over 300,000 people in AI

At the Dubai edition of its global AI Tour, Microsoft showcased how artificial intelligence is shaping the UAE’s future, unveiling major initiatives to equip students, educators, and government employees with AI skills, and highlighting strategic investments to accelerate innovation across the nation.

Microsoft elevate UAE : Expanding AI skills across the country

Microsoft used the Dubai AI Tour to announce Microsoft Elevate UAE, an expansion of its global skilling initiative. Building on its commitment to skill one million people in the region by 2027, the program aims to:

• Equip over 250,000 students, staff, and faculty with in-demand AI skills.
• Train more than 55,000 UAE government employees through sustained programs and partnerships.
• Provide hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools.

The initiative will reach all educational institutions in the UAE, including 10,000 teachers and 150,000 students in GEMS private schools, ensuring AI literacy and practical skills across multiple levels of learning.

Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair and President, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative: “For more than three decades, Microsoft has partnered with the UAE to expand opportunity through technology. Today’s investment strengthens that partnership by building the talent that makes AI transformative, empowering people with skills to unlock possibilities and enabling industries to innovate and improve lives.”

Strategic investments and partnerships

During the event, Smith delivered the opening keynote and participated in a fireside chat with Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, and Samer Abu-Ltaif, President of Microsoft EMEA. The discussion focused on the next phase of collaboration between Microsoft and UAE stakeholders, anchored by Microsoft’s $15.2 billion investment in the UAE.

Key points highlighted by Smith included:

• The investment combines technology, talent, and trust to strengthen the nation’s AI infrastructure.
• It supports local capability development and expands opportunities across all sectors of the economy.
• The initiative aligns with the UAE’s long-term vision for innovation, education, and inclusive growth.
  
  

Showcasing AI innovation and local startups

The Dubai AI Tour served as a hub for the UAE’s AI ecosystem. The event featured:

• Customer success stories, immersive product experiences, and live technology demonstrations highlighting AI’s practical impact.
• The Connection Hub, a new feature spotlighting local startup achievements, including:
  
• Takalam, an AI-powered mental health platform.
• PRYPCO, a property technology startup based in Dubai.
• Otera, an agentic automation platform delivering enterprise-grade AI solutions.

Brad Smith met with these founders prior to the event, underscoring Microsoft’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurship and innovation.

Advancing AI in government and education

Microsoft also unveiled the next phase of collaboration with G42 and the JAHIZ platform, aiming to train and credential 55,000 UAE federal government employees in AI over the next 12 months. The program includes:

• Foundational AI skills and practical applications for public-sector innovation.
• Leadership development programs focusing on responsible AI adoption and digital transformation for senior government executives.

Amr Kamel, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, emphasized the transformative potential of AI:
“We are helping to translate the country’s bold AI vision into meaningful progress, empowering educators with Copilot, equipping students with future-ready skills, and enabling government employees to harness AI responsibly and effectively. There is a remarkable sense of momentum and collaboration in the UAE, and we are excited to continue contributing to a future where innovation and opportunity are accessible to all.”

Developer experiences and AI tools

The event included interactive sessions and product demonstrations featuring:

• Copilot, Azure OpenAI Service, and the Microsoft Cloud.
• Hands-on learning for developers, IT professionals, and business leaders to accelerate AI adoption responsibly.

The Dubai AI Tour is part of Microsoft’s global AI Tour, which brings AI innovations to cities worldwide, helping organizations and individuals unlock AI’s benefits at scale.