Abu dhabi: The National Experts Program's AI Track (NEP-AI) has commenced its first technical learning phase, attended by Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology. Thirty-two Emirati experts are participating in NEP-AI Module 1, "AI Foundations and the AI Stack," which introduces them to the technologies, infrastructure, and data essential for modern artificial intelligence.
According to Emirates News Agency, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama highlighted the importance of investing in national talent to bolster the UAE's leadership in artificial intelligence and foster a future-ready economy. He stressed that developing highly skilled national talent with technical expertise and strategic insight is a national priority as AI continues to transform industries and societies. This initiative aims to keep the UAE at the forefront of technological advancement.
Omran Sharaf noted that artificial intelligence has become a strategic pillar for enhancing economic competitiveness, national resilience, international cooperation, and global influence. He emphasized the UAE's strategic approach to AI, supported by national backing and strategic partnerships, positioning the nation as a leading global partner in AI and technological innovation. This vision involves investing in human capital and empowering national talent to build a secure and prosperous future for coming generations.
The AI Foundations and the AI Stack module explores the development, training, deployment, and scaling of AI systems in real-world environments, focusing on AI compute, the processing power enabling artificial intelligence. Participants will delve into specialised chips, such as Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and the energy requirements and global supply chains integral to AI development, gaining insight into the opportunities and limitations of modern AI systems.
The curriculum also covers AI infrastructure, from data architecture and model development to organizational deployment, emphasizing how data quality, structure, governance, and availability affect AI performance. Participants will visit the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ADIA Lab for firsthand exposure to advanced AI research and its application to innovation and national impact.
At ADIA Lab, Director Dr. Horst Simon and ADIA Lab scientists will discuss compute as a strategic resource for AI innovation, introducing participants to the Lab's research and contributions to AI advancement. During the TII visit, Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, will lead a panel discussion on building sovereign AI capabilities, exploring the foundations necessary for the UAE's AI stack.
Participants will apply their learnings to a Capstone Project, addressing organizational and national challenges with practical AI solutions. This module aims to develop a common technical language and foundational understanding of the AI stack, setting the stage for future modules on leadership, strategy, and innovation.
