UAE's premier Chief AI Officer program expands with global tech leaders

Abu Dhabi's CAIO program expands with elite instructors from NVIDIA, G42, and BCG for April 2026. The 10-day intensive targets C-suite leaders bridging the gap between AI strategy and execution as regional demand surges.

The UAE's flagship Chief AI Officer program has added instructors from NVIDIA, Mubadala, BCG, G42, and AI71 for its second cohort. The expansion addresses growing demand for structured AI leadership as 92% of UAE firms prioritise AI but face critical skills gaps.

The Deal

Polynome AI Academy and Abu Dhabi School of Management announced the expanded instructor lineup for Cohort 2 of their Executive Program for Chief AI Officer (CAIO), running April 10-21 in Abu Dhabi. The intensive 10-day program targets Chief AI Officers, CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, and senior digital transformation executives.

Confirmed instructors include Dr. John Ashley from NVIDIA AI Technology Centers, Charbel Aoun from NVIDIA's Smart City division, Faris Al Mazrui from Mubadala Investment Company, Jean-Christophe Bernardini from Boston Consulting Group, Dr. Andrew Jackson from G42, and Chiara Marcati from AI71. Additional faculty come from PHI Institute, Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, and ETH Zürich.

Why It Matters

The program addresses a structural gap in the regional market. The value chain for AI adoption divides into three parts: technology providers, implementation partners, and end users. Traditional executive education focuses on high-level strategy, while technical training serves practitioners. The CAIO program targets the crucial middle layer — C-suite leaders who must translate AI capabilities into organizational outcomes.

This positioning becomes critical as AI is expected to guide half of all business decisions by 2027, according to program founder Alexander Khanin. Organizations that fail to develop internal AI leadership risk being relegated to passive technology consumers rather than strategic implementers.

"The first cohort confirmed what we've long believed: the CAIO role requires a dedicated program built for the realities of leading AI at scale," Khanin said. "Executives came to Abu Dhabi and left with actionable strategies they are already putting into practice."

The Competitive Dynamics

The program benefits from clear network effects on both sides: more high-caliber instructors attract better executives, while prestigious participants draw additional faculty. This creates a virtuous cycle that's difficult for competitors to replicate.

Abu Dhabi's position as regional hub provides additional strategic advantages. The program includes site visits to UAE Cybersecurity Council, Core42's Khazna Data Centers, and ADNOC — access that would be impossible to replicate elsewhere in the region.

The first cohort in November 2025 enrolled 35 C-suite executives, validating demand for this specific positioning. "Top executives across the region recognize that AI strategy cannot simply be delegated," said Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Chairman of Abu Dhabi School of Management.

The Company

Polynome AI Academy operates as the education arm of UAE-based Polynome Group, which builds enterprise AI solutions. The company bridges foundational AI models and business outcomes through its Visual and Voice Intelligence Platform.

Abu Dhabi School of Management brings institutional credibility through UAE Ministry of Education accreditation and 20+ international partnerships. The collaboration combines Polynome's AI expertise with ADSM's executive education infrastructure.

Program participants complete 10 modules covering AI strategy, sovereign AI infrastructure, governance frameworks, and enterprise deployment methodology. The curriculum includes executive seminars, case labs, and lifetime access to the CAIO alumni network.

Looking Forward

The instructor expansion suggests the program is positioning itself as the regional standard for C-suite AI education. By aggregating top-tier faculty from NVIDIA, major consulting firms, and UAE AI leaders, it creates a knowledge hub that would be difficult for individual organizations to access independently.

This model parallels successful executive education programs that become industry gathering points. The combination of practical curriculum, site visits to key UAE AI institutions, and peer networking creates multiple value propositions beyond just training.

Early-bird enrollment for Cohort 2 is open through polynome.ai/form, with consultation available at academy@polynome.ai. The program's evolution from 35-person inaugural cohort to expanded faculty suggests strong market validation for structured AI leadership development in the region.

Program Details

The Executive Program for Chief AI Officer runs April 10-21, 2026, at Abu Dhabi School of Management. The 10-day intensive includes 10 modules, executive seminars, case labs, site visits to UAE AI institutions, policymaker roundtables, and lifetime alumni network access.

Target participants include CAIOs, CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, public sector advisors, and senior digital transformation executives. Early-bird enrollment is available through polynome.ai/form, with consultation requests at academy@polynome.ai.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Executive Program for Chief AI Officer (CAIO)?

The CAIO program is an intensive 10-day course designed to equip senior executives with governance frameworks, operating models, and decision-making structures for leading AI at organizational and national scales.

Who are the instructors for CAIO program Cohort 2?

Instructors include leaders from NVIDIA, Mubadala, BCG, G42, AI71, PHI Institute, Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, AI Nations, AIdeology.ai, and ETH Zürich.

When and where is the CAIO program Cohort 2 held?

The second cohort runs April 10-21, 2026, at Abu Dhabi School of Management. The program includes site visits to UAE AI institutions including Core42's Khazna Data Centers.

Who should attend the Executive Program for Chief AI Officer?

The program targets CAIOs, CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, public sector advisors, and senior digital transformation executives who need structured AI leadership frameworks.

How can I enroll in the CAIO program Cohort 2?

Early-bird enrollment is open at polynome.ai/form. Interested executives can request consultation at academy@polynome.ai for program details and requirements.