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The UAE recorded a 344% increase in Generated AI (GENAI) registrations from the previous year, significantly surpassing the global average of MENA regional averages of 128% and 195%. The findings are based on the Global Skills Report 2025 by Coursera, a leading online learning platform with over 170 million users worldwide.
read-uae is ranked among the top 10 countries with most AI companies per capita
The report highlights its emphasis on future-ready talent in the UAE, with 87% of domestic employers prioritizing technology literacy, AI and big data skills. The country continues to lead the region in digital upskills, with 13% of the workforce actively engaged in online learning.
AI-driven workforce transformation
The number of professional certificate enrollments rose 41%, including a 14% increase in cybersecurity courses. This demonstrates an increase in demand for work-related, technically-focused credentials. This report analyzes skill trends and learner behavior in over 100 countries.
The rapid rise in genai registrations reflects the UAE's broader strategy to nurture a knowledge-based economy powered by Emirati talent, collaborating with the “We the UAE 2031” vision across the country.
The United Arab Emirates is ranked first in the Arab world with the AI Musturity Index
A new feature in this year's research is the AI Maturity Index. It evaluates the national readiness of AI by combining learner engagement data with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and OECD indicators.
The United Arab Emirates ranks number one in the Arab world and 32nd out of 109 countries worldwide.
The ranking is supported by national initiatives such as planned 5GW AI campuses and integration of AI into public school curricula. These efforts are in line with the UAE's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to make AI a significant contributor to more than 20% of non-Oil GDP by that year.
“The UAE is rapidly expanding AI learning and infrastructure to promote workforce transformation and local innovation. The strong performance of the AI maturity index is combined with a ranking of overall skill proficiency, indicating its ability to close skill gaps, develop future talent and lead AI preparations.
Main challenges: gender gaps and lack of skills remain
Despite the advances in the UAE, the challenges continue. The country leads the Arab world, but ranks 38th worldwide in overall skill proficiency across business, technology and data science. In particular, the UAE shows proficiency in business skills (85%), moderate strength in data science (59%), and room for technology improvement (52%).
Of the 10.8 million learners in the MENA region, 1.3 million are based in the UAE, with a median age of 36.
Mobile learning continues to grow, with 41% of users accessing content through mobile devices.
However, 72% of UAE employers still cite skills gaps as a major barrier. Increased participation of women in emerging technology fields remains important. Currently, women account for 32% of online learners in the UAE, with only 24% enrolled in STEM courses and 21% enrolled in Genai, highlighting the great opportunities for more inclusive growth.
