UAE and Google launch ‘AI for All’ skills push

“AI for All” launches under UAE Codes 2025 and rolls out nationwide in 2026.
Focus areas: AI literacy, safe use, prompt-writing and creative tools, plus SME growth.
UAE university students have 12 months’ free access to Gemini 2.5.
Public campaign to drive completion of foundational AI modules across the country.
Initiative aligns with Vision 2031 and Google’s MENA AI Opportunity Initiative through 2027.

The UAE’s Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office has launched “AI for All” with Google during UAE Codes 2025. The plan is simple: give people across the UAE the skills to use AI safely and productively, and help businesses get value from it. Training runs through 2026, with a public campaign to get everyone through core AI literacy modules.

What is “AI for All”?

A national skills initiative built to raise AI literacy and practical use across society.

Announced at UAE Codes 2025
Government-private collaboration
Runs across 2026
Public awareness campaign to boost adoption

The UAE AI Office and Google set up “AI for All” to expand access to AI skills across the country. It launches under the UAE Codes 2025 umbrella and will be implemented throughout 2026, backed by a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and completion

Who is it for?

Students, workers, creators and SMEs. Broad by design.

Students and university learners
Employees and content creators
General public of all ages
Small and medium-sized enterprises

The training covers people at every stage: students and university learners, employees, content creators and the wider public. A dedicated SME track focuses on using AI to grow and streamline operations.

What will people learn?

Foundations first, then practical skills.

AI literacy for productivity and privacy
Safe and responsible use
Prompt-writing for generative tools
Creative workflows with AI

Expect modules on safety and privacy, along with hands-on lessons in writing effective prompts and using AI tools for creative work. The goal is confident, responsible use, not just playing with demos.

You may also find our quick guide to Gemini video tools in MENA useful for creative tasks, and this piece on Dubai’s AI film award if you’re testing AI video skills in the real world.

What about students and universities?

There’s already a head start.

12 months’ free access to Gemini 2.5 for university students
Extra features to support continuous, creative learning
Part of the collaboration with the UAE Government

Earlier this month, university students were given a year of free access to Gemini 2.5, billed as Google’s most advanced model, with added features to support continuous and creative learning. That sits alongside the 2026 rollout and gives campuses a clear runway to integrate AI into study and research now.

Scope, timing and wider programmes

Where this fits in the UAE’s AI plan.

Public campaign runs through 2026
Supports Vision 2031 goals around AI
Tied to Google’s MENA AI Opportunity Initiative to 2027
Existing Arabic training via Maharat from 2018 with 430k+ trained in the UAE

The initiative runs a public campaign across 2026 and supports the country’s Vision 2031 push to be an AI destination. It also connects to Google’s MENA AI Opportunity Initiative, which promises skills, research funding and product access by 2027. Google’s Arabic training platform Maharat has already trained over 430,000 people in the UAE, so there’s a base to build on.

For context on the broader upskilling wave, see our coverage of AWS and e& training 30,000 people and e& enterprise’s sovereign AI platform in the UAE

Why it matters for the UAE

Skills underpin impact.

Generative AI could add AED 298 billion to the UAE economy
Government-private collaboration at scale
Clear pathways for SMEs and creators

There’s a strong economic angle here. Generative AI could add up to AED 298 billion to the UAE economy, so building capability across society is not charity; it’s strategy. Pairing government reach with private tools and curriculum gives the rollout a realistic shot at impact, especially for SMEs that need simple, proven workflows.

What is “AI for All”?

A nationwide training effort led by the UAE AI Office with Google to build AI literacy and practical skills for people across the UAE, running through 2026.