
Dubai Future Foundation and Google Cloud Launch AI Upskilling Drive for Government Leaders
The initiative will provide CAIOs with access to Google Cloud's suite of applied AI tools, training programmes, and strategic insights. It is designed to help AI leaders drive high-impact deployments, deliver real-world value, and accelerate innovation within their organisations.
Building on the Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI launched in April 2024 by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the initiative marks another step towards positioning Dubai among the top 10 cities on the global Government AI Readiness Index.
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said the move highlights Dubai's leadership in appointing Chief AI Officers across government, a milestone achieved just one year after the launch of the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence in June 2023.
Ziad Jammal, General Manager for Google Cloud UAE, Levant and North Africa, emphasised that equipping government leaders with advanced AI knowledge is crucial for future-proofing governance and reinforcing the UAE's standing as a global innovation hub.
The collaboration reflects Dubai's ongoing commitment to responsibly scaling AI to benefit society while keeping pace with rapid global technological advancements.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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