UAE women outperform men in AI course completion despite lower participation

According to Coursera's latest report "One Year Later: The Gender Gap in GenAI", women in the UAE complete Generative AI courses at rates 2.4 percentage points higher than their male peers, despite representing only 24% of total enrollments. The March 2026 findings reveal a paradox: whilst women excel once enrolled, their participation continues declining by 1% year-on-year.

Are women in UAE outperforming men in GenAI learning?

Women in the UAE demonstrate superior completion rates for GenAI courses, finishing 2.4 percentage points ahead of men according to Coursera's data. This completion advantage suggests strong engagement and skill acquisition once barriers to entry are overcome.

The pattern contradicts assumptions about capability gaps. "When women in the UAE gain access to GenAI learning, they not only keep pace with men — they often outperform them," explains Dr. Alexandra Urban, Learning Science Research Lead at Coursera. The data indicates the issue lies in access and opportunity rather than motivation or ability.

Why are so few UAE women enrolling in GenAI courses?

Despite their success rates, women comprise just 24% of GenAI enrollments in the UAE. More concerning is the 1% annual decline in female participation, widening the gender gap whilst global trends move in the opposite direction.

Globally, women's GenAI participation increased from 32% in 2024 to 36% in 2025. Among enterprise learners, the jump was even steeper — from 36% to 42% over the same period. The UAE's declining trend runs counter to this global momentum, highlighting regional barriers that need addressing.

This disconnect becomes crucial as the UAE advances its AI leadership ambitions and faces documented skills shortages across the digital workforce.

What course design attracts more women to AI learning?

Beginner-friendly courses emphasising real-world applications consistently attract stronger female participation globally. Google AI Essentials exemplifies this approach, achieving 41.2% female enrollment and attracting over 250,000 women worldwide.

The course succeeds through accessible language, practical use cases, and visible representation including a female instructor prominently featured throughout. Application-driven GenAI courses in education, productivity tools, and workplace integration have seen female participation approach parity in some cases.

These findings align with broader research on inclusive course design. When AI skills are framed as practical tools for productivity and problem-solving rather than abstract technical theory, participation broadens significantly.

What this means for UAE's digital transformation

The completion rate advantage among UAE women signals untapped potential for the country's digital workforce development. As 92% of UAE firms prioritise AI whilst facing skills gaps, expanding women's participation could strengthen workforce readiness.

Dr. Urban's assessment is blunt: "The UAE has an enormous pool of motivated and resilient women ready to help shape the country's AI-powered future." The challenge lies in creating enabling conditions rather than building capability.

Recent initiatives like the UAE's digital sovereignty strategy depend heavily on skilled local talent. Addressing participation barriers could unlock a significant talent reservoir already proven to excel in advanced AI learning.

Recommended solutions to close the participation gap

Coursera's report outlines four key approaches to support more inclusive GenAI participation in the UAE market. These strategies target the access barriers rather than capability gaps identified in the research.

• Design beginner-level courses with clear real-world applications: Focus on practical use cases in education, workplace productivity, and creative problem-solving
• Ensure visible representation and inclusive pedagogy: Feature diverse instructors and teaching methods that resonate with different learning preferences
• Expand access through localisation and partnerships: Adapt content for regional contexts and collaborate with local institutions
• Pair GenAI skills with complementary human capabilities: Combine AI training with critical thinking and other skills that enhance rather than replace human judgment

These approaches have shown measurable results in other markets where enabling conditions improved participation rates.

Course accessibility and next steps

Google AI Essentials and similar beginner-friendly GenAI courses are available through Coursera's platform with no prerequisites required. The introductory nature of these programmes makes them accessible to learners regardless of technical background.

For UAE learners interested in GenAI skills development, the research suggests starting with application-focused courses that connect directly to career goals rather than purely technical training. The higher completion rates among women indicate strong potential returns on investment in inclusive programme design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are women in the UAE completing GenAI courses at higher rates than men?

Yes, women in the UAE complete Generative AI courses at rates 2.4 percentage points higher than their male peers, according to Coursera's latest report.

What is the enrollment rate of women in GenAI courses in the UAE?

Women currently represent only 24% of GenAI enrollments in the UAE, and this share is declining by 1% year-on-year despite global trends showing increased female participation.

What are the suggested solutions to increase women's participation in GenAI learning in the UAE?

The report suggests designing beginner-level courses with real-world applications, ensuring visible representation and inclusive pedagogy, expanding access through localisation and partnerships, and pairing GenAI skills with complementary human capabilities like critical thinking.

How does UAE women's GenAI participation compare globally?

UAE women's participation lags significantly behind global trends. Whilst global female GenAI enrollment increased from 32% to 36% in 2025, UAE women represent just 24% with declining participation rates.

Why do beginner-friendly AI courses attract more women?

Courses emphasising real-world applications, practical use cases, and accessible language consistently achieve higher female participation. Google AI Essentials reached 41.2% female enrollment by focusing on practical productivity tools rather than abstract technical theory.

Written by

Share

Copied