Latest news with #digitalSkills
Arabian Business
2 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE leads Arab world in AI learning surge, says new Coursera report
Generative AI is gaining rapid traction in the UAE, with enrollments on Coursera soaring by 344 per cent over the past year. This surge far exceeds both the global average growth rate of 195 per cent and the MENA region's 128 per cent, as highlighted in Coursera's latest Global Skills Report. A strong shift in employer priorities is evident in the UAE, where 87 per cent of companies now emphasise the importance of technology literacy, artificial intelligence, and big data. This reflects a growing demand for talent equipped with emerging tech skills and prepared for the future of work, one of the key findings from the seventh year of Coursera's Global Skills Report. The Global Skills Report highlights the UAE's ongoing success in cultivating a digitally proficient workforce. With 13 per cent of its workforce engaged in online learning through Coursera, the nation remains at the forefront of digital skill development in the region. Enrollments in professional certificates surged by 41 per cent, including a notable 14 per cent rise in cybersecurity, signaling a strong appetite for career-focused qualifications. Coursera's global learner base, spanning more than 170 million people across 100+ countries, serves as the foundation for this report's analysis of skill trends. Rather than offering a single narrative, it maps out three key dimensions: where proficiency is improving, where gaps persist, and what motivates learners worldwide. A notable highlight is the UAE, where surging interest in generative AI courses signals a deliberate and strategic national effort. This momentum reflects the country's broader ambition: to shape a future-ready, knowledge-based economy led by skilled Emiratis, as envisioned in the 'We the UAE 2031' strategy. UAE leads in AI readiness This year's report introduces the AI Maturity Index, a new metric that evaluates a nation's preparedness for artificial intelligence by integrating data from Coursera learners alongside external indicators from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Among Arab countries, the UAE leads the region, ranking 1 st, and secures the 32 nd position worldwide out of 109 nations, reflecting a strong base in AI development, research, and practical implementation of AI expertise. The UAE's top-tier AI Maturity ranking and rapid adoption of generative AI across various industries highlight its goal of establishing itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Projects such as the upcoming 5GW AI Campus and the inclusion of AI as a compulsory subject in public education reinforce this vision, aligning with the UAE National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031. This strategy aims to position the nation at the forefront of AI innovation by 2031. Additionally, these initiatives support the broader objective of boosting the digital economy's share of non-oil GDP to over 20 per cent by 2031, reflecting the country's long-term commitment to digital transformation and economic leadership. 'The UAE is rapidly scaling AI learning and infrastructure to drive workforce transformation and regional innovation. Its strong performance on Coursera's AI Maturity Index, combined with high rankings in overall skills proficiency, demonstrates the country's growing ability to close skill gaps, nurture future talent, and lead in AI readiness. As digital transformation reshapes industries, the UAE is setting a powerful example of how nations can leverage education to build a competitive, inclusive digital economy that prepares its workforce for the future,' Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said in a statement. UAE leads the Arab world in skills proficiency The United Arab Emirates holds the 38 th position globally in overall skills proficiency, according to data covering business, technology, and data science. It stands out in the Arab region, ranking first among its peers. Business skills are a strong suit for the UAE, with an impressive 85 per cent proficiency score. Technology and data science follow with 52 per cent and 59 per cent proficiency, respectively. The UAE also plays a significant role in the regional online learning landscape. Of the 10.8 million Coursera learners across the MENA region, 1.3 million are based in the UAE, with a median age of 36. A noteworthy trend is the rise of mobile learning in the country—41 per cent of learners now access courses via mobile devices, highlighting a shift toward more flexible, on-the-go education. Despite notable advancements, the UAE still faces persistent challenges in workforce readiness. Nearly 72 per cent of employers in the country report skills gaps as a significant obstacle—a figure that exceeds the global average. Bridging these gaps will require targeted efforts, particularly in boosting women's participation in emerging technology sectors. This is not only vital for promoting gender equity, but also crucial for sustaining long-term economic growth and innovation. Currently, women represent 32 per cent of Coursera learners in the UAE. However, their enrollment in key fields remains limited, with only 24 per cent in STEM courses and 21 per cent in generative AI programs. These figures point to substantial untapped potential to advance diversity and inclusion in the tech workforce.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Selangor aims to future-proof students with digital skills, says MB
SUBANG, June 11 — Selangor is keen to future-proof its next generation by equipping students with essential digital skills needed to keep pace with rapid global development, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Applauding the commencement of Advancing Future Skills for All (FS4A) Selangor Scale-Up today, he said it aligns with the aspirations laid out in Rancangan Struktur Negeri Selangor 2035, particularly Teras 1 on strengthening economic growth through digital transformation, and Teras 3 involving inclusive and equitable access to quality education. 'This scale-up initiative in Selangor, generously supported by Google and implemented by ARUS Academy in collaboration with the Education Ministry, Unicef, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and CelcomDigi, is not just timely, it is strategic. 'This programme is a brilliant example of what a public-private partnership can achieve. We have Google and CelcomDigi, deeply committed to our communities and ensuring every Malaysian child gets vital digital skills,' he said in his opening speech during the launch of FS4A - Selangor Scale Up here today. Amirudin also said the programme is also expected to complement state government initiative involving Artificial Intelilligence (AI) Trailblazers. 'We believe that this is an effort that will lead to our ability to enter the AI realm boldly, not just as users or consumers but as part of the creators of the future,' he said. Meanwhile, CelcomDigi, in a statement, noted that the programme, funded by Google, is tailored to address real needs on the ground, beginning with schools in the education districts of Gombak, Petaling Utama, Petaling Perdana, and Klang, with a three-phase rollout from June to September this year. According to the statement, selected teachers of Computer Science and Design and Technology subjects as well as District Education Officers will be upskilled and trained to co-lead digital workshops for fellow teachers in their districts aimed to create a multiplier effect across schools, especially in underserved and near low-cost housing areas. It also stated that in Phase one, 48 teachers will undergo a one-day intensive session to become Master Trainers within their districts. 'These Master Trainers, with the support of the District Education Officers will then colead Phase 2 by conducting hands-on digital skills workshops in 10 schools each in their respective districts, reaching over 120 teachers and students across 40 schools from July-August. 'In Phase three, these trained teachers will implement FS4A training materials in the classrooms, resulting in over 13,000 students across 88 schools being digitally equipped. Participating schools will receive grants to run school-based digital learning projects tailored to their students,' according to the statement. — Bernama
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Public urged to create secret passwords with family and friends to avoid AI-generated scams
People should create secret passwords with their family and friends to avoid getting caught out by an AI-generated deepfake impersonating them, a cyber security expert has said. Cody Barrow, chief executive of cyber security company EclecticIQ and a former US government adviser, said impersonation scams are easier to create in the age of artificial intelligence. Speaking to the Press Association, Barrow said AI was helping to "lower the barrier to entry" for cyber criminals and extra precautions were needed as a result. '"AI is huge. It's not just hype. It's very easy to dismiss it as such, but its really not," he said. "My wife and I were actually just discussing this - in recent months, we have (created) a secret code that we use that only the real me or the real her would know, so that if one of us ever receives a FaceTime video or WhatsApp video that looks and sounds like us, asking for money, asking for help - something very scary - we can use that code to verify that we're the right person. "So the fact that I'm doing that indicates what I think of it, right? I think it's very real." The sheer number of data breaches in recent years means the majority of people online will have had their personal details compromised at some point, Barrow said. He added that creating secret passwords was especially important for older and younger people who may not have the best digital skills. "Just about every human who's used a computer or the internet has an old email account that's been compromised at some stage when they had a non-secure password, which probably most people still do, and that email was compromised and someone stole their contact list," Barrow said. "Then from that contact list, it's not hard to generate malicious tooling that can duplicate the likeness of someone on that list and then send you some sort of scam that makes it look like it's actually from that person. "So I very much think everyone should have a secret password." The warning follows a number of recent cyber attacks, with Marks and Spencer and the Co-op affected. M&S said earlier this week that its breach was down to "human error", with hackers able to gain access to its systems via a third party. The retailer said the hackers used social engineering - human error or misjudgment - in order to do so. The company said the cyber attack is set to cost it £300m, with the associated disruption expected to continue through to July. Experts have told Yahoo News UK that cyber attacks on supermarkets are unlikely to stop. Barrow said it was his view that the M&S hackers were likely to have used the fact they are reportedly native English speakers to help them gain access. He also warned that people were complacent when it comes to cyber security. "The landscape that we're seeing now is that we're seeing a lot of people are really immunised and used to the security procedures they have to follow," he said. "They're used to having to enter their phone authenticator code and do all the prompts. And so it was relatively trivial for this threat actor, which speaks native English, to really trick people into going through those motions and abusing multi-factor authentication to get into these outlets."
Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Times
‘The most valuable people I've worked with never stop being students'
Commodity trader turned academic Professor Rachid Hourizi MBE is director of the Institute of Coding, a national network of 35 universities, 20 charities and a wide consortium of employers aiming to boost the nation's digital skills. Committed to widening access to tech, here's his programme to make it happen. 1. Be stubborn about what you believe in: Conviction is underrated. If you believe in something, hold your ground, especially when others don't yet see it. Progress begins with quiet persistence. 2. Relevance is a moving target: The most valuable people I've worked with never stop being students. Whether it's reading, retraining, or just asking questions, learning keeps you adaptable — and relevance is a moving target. Never let your last qualification be your final one.
