The UAE has reported an impressive 344 per cent year-over-year increase in Generative AI (GenAI) enrollments, significantly surpassing the MENA regional average of 128 per cent and the global average of 195 per cent. This data comes from the Global Skills Report 2025 published by Coursera, a prominent online learning platform that serves over 170 million users worldwide.

The report emphasizes the UAE’s commitment to cultivating a workforce equipped with future-ready skills. It reveals that 87 per cent of employers in the country prioritize technology literacy, AI, and big data capabilities. Furthermore, the UAE continues to lead the region in digital upskilling, with 13 per cent of its labor force actively participating in online learning.

In addition to GenAI, enrollments in professional certificates have risen by 41 per cent, which includes a 14 per cent increase in cybersecurity courses. This trend highlights the growing demand for credentials that are relevant to job markets. The report, which analyzes skill trends and learner behavior across more than 100 countries, indicates that the increase in GenAI enrollments aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to foster a knowledge-based economy driven by Emirati talent, in line with the national ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

A new aspect of this year’s study is the introduction of the AI Maturity Index, which assesses a nation’s readiness for AI by combining learner engagement data with indicators from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The UAE has secured the top position in the Arab world and ranks 32nd globally out of 109 countries. This ranking is bolstered by national initiatives, such as the proposed 5GW AI Campus and the integration of AI into public school curricula. These efforts are part of the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims for AI to contribute to over 20 per cent of the non-oil GDP by that year.

Kais Zribi, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Coursera, remarked, “The UAE is rapidly scaling AI learning and infrastructure to drive workforce transformation and regional innovation.” He added that the country’s strong performance on the AI Maturity Index and high rankings in overall skills proficiency reflect its growing capability to address skill gaps and nurture future talent in AI readiness.

Despite the notable advancements, challenges remain for the UAE. The country ranks 38th globally in overall skills proficiency across business, technology, and data science, yet it leads the Arab world in these areas. The UAE demonstrates high proficiency in business skills at 85 per cent, moderate strength in data science at 59 per cent, and areas for improvement in technology at 52 per cent.

Among the 10.8 million learners in the MENA region, 1.3 million are located in the UAE, with a median age of 36. Mobile learning is on the rise, with 41 per cent of users accessing educational content via mobile devices. However, a significant 72 per cent of employers in the UAE report skills gaps as a major barrier, which is above the global average. Increasing women’s participation in emerging tech sectors is also essential, as women currently represent 32 per cent of online learners in the UAE, with only 24 per cent enrolled in STEM courses and 21 per cent in GenAI. This presents a substantial opportunity for more inclusive growth in the technology sector.