TLDR: The UAE government, in collaboration with Google, will provide university students with a complimentary one-year subscription to Google Gemini Pro, starting October 2025. This initiative, part of the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aims to equip students with advanced AI tools to enhance learning, research, and innovation.
In a significant move to bolster its national artificial intelligence capabilities and empower its youth, the United Arab Emirates government has announced a strategic partnership with Google to offer university students a free one-year subscription to Google Gemini Pro. This initiative, set to commence in October 2025, will grant eligible students access to Google’s cutting-edge generative AI platform, specifically Gemini 2.5 Pro, along with a suite of powerful AI-driven tools.
The collaboration is a cornerstone of the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, reflecting the nation’s commitment to cultivating an advanced AI talent ecosystem. The goal is to provide students with state-of-the-art resources that will accelerate learning, foster creativity, and drive innovation across various academic and research domains.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. He stated, ‘The UAE continues to prioritize advancing national talent through the use of AI technologies. This initiative reflects the country’s commitment to achieving global leadership by leveraging AI to develop skills, build capabilities, enhance efficiency, and accelerate innovation across all sectors, thereby shaping a future driven by knowledge, creativity, and sustainable progress.’ He further added that the UAE government has a ‘clear and forward-looking vision centred on empowering society through technology and artificial intelligence,’ supported by strategic partnerships that promote continuous learning and innovation.
Anthony Nakache, Google’s Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa, highlighted the growing demand for AI tools in the region. ‘We’ve seen a 110 per cent rise in searches related to AI and study topics in the UAE over the past two months compared with last year,’ Nakache noted, indicating a positive reception from both educators and students towards integrating modern technologies into education. He affirmed that this partnership ensures ‘university students across the country can equally benefit from Gemini’s latest models and features to enhance their research skills and thrive in their educational journey.’
Eligible participants include university students aged 18 and above, enrolled in accredited UAE institutions. The registration window is open immediately and will run until December 9, 2025. Students will need to verify their status through SheerID, using a valid student ID or university email, to activate their complimentary subscription, which is valued at approximately Dh73 per month.
The free subscription will unlock a comprehensive suite of features designed to support students in their academic pursuits. These include:
Gemini 2.5 Pro: Google’s most capable model for complex tasks such as in-depth analysis, brainstorming, and sophisticated content generation.
Deep Research: A tool that compiles multi-source insights and assists in drafting initial research summaries.
NotebookLM: An AI-powered thinking companion that helps organize ideas, now with expanded audio and video overviews.
Veo 3: A feature that transforms text or photos into short, eight-second videos with accompanying sound.
2 TB of cloud storage: Across Google Drive, Photos, Gmail, and Docs, providing ample space for academic projects and personal files.
Also Read:
- E& Unveils ‘Imagine&’: A Generative AI Image Creator Tailored for Emirati Culture
- Egypt Advances Ethical AI Integration in Education and National Strategy with UNESCO and EU Support
This collaboration underscores the UAE’s proactive approach to integrating advanced technology into its educational framework, aiming to foster a generation of AI-literate professionals ready to contribute to the nation’s future economic and technological landscape.
