Dubai Health launched the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Framework (ALIF), marking the first comprehensive initiative of AI and cultivated AI proficiency in a specialized environment.
The announcement came during Dubai AI Week 2025, hosted by the Dubai Artificial Intelligence Centre, under the auspices of Dubai Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktum, Crown Prince Dubai.
Developed at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Health Sciences (MBRU), Alif offers a structured approach to responsibly understanding, assessing and applying AI.
Initially targeted the healthcare, education and research sectors, the framework is designed to expand across the industry, aligning with Dubai's broader digital transformation goals.
Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, chief academic officer at Dubai Health, is a provost at MBRU and said that AI literacy has become essential as it shapes daily life and professional practices. “Alif is equipped with understanding and confidence to engage with AI in an informed and responsible way to all learners,” he said.
Alif starts with the AI Launchpad. This is a free online course that introduces basic AI concepts and practical applications. Participants pursue five mastery tracks tailored for learners, educators, researchers, clinicians and administrators, and are available to the course at Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
“We are a great place to go,” said Nabil Zary, senior director of MBRU's Institute of Learning. “Whether you're a clinician, educator, researcher, or administrator, Alif allows you to engage with AI in a way that is relevant to your role and tailors to your professional goals.”
The launch of Alif has reached over 1 million participants following MBRU's successful open access initiatives, including the Community Immunity Ambassador Program during the Covid-19 pandemic.
