TLDR: The AI Academy, a collaboration between Polynom Group and Abu Dhabi School of Management, has launched the Middle East’s first Executive Programme for Chief AI Officer (CAIO). This 3-4 month flagship program aims to equip senior executives with the expertise to lead AI transformation, covering strategy, governance, and deployment. Supported by NVIDIA, the initiative positions the UAE as a global AI hub, contributing significantly to its GDP by 2031.
ABU DHABI, UAE – The United Arab Emirates is taking a significant leap in fostering AI leadership with the official launch of The AI Academy’s Executive Programme for Chief AI Officer (CAIO). This groundbreaking initiative, a strategic collaboration between the Polynom Group and the Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), marks the region’s first dedicated program to cultivate a new generation of AI-savvy leaders.
Unveiled at the prestigious Machines Can See 2025 summit, in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, The AI Academy aims to address a critical skills gap in C-suite leadership as organizations across the Middle East accelerate AI adoption. The flagship CAIO program is designed as a comprehensive 3-4 month leadership journey, specifically tailored to empower senior executives and decision-makers with the vision and expertise required to drive the next wave of AI transformation across various sectors.
The intensive curriculum of the CAIO program includes 10 advanced modules. These modules delve into crucial aspects of AI leadership, such as AI systems architecture, enterprise deployment strategies, robust governance frameworks, ethical considerations, and public policy implications. The program places a strong emphasis on real-world application and execution-ready strategies, developed by leaders who have successfully implemented AI at scale. Participants will gain direct access to enterprise tools and become part of an exclusive global alumni network of Chief AI Officers, fostering ongoing peer support and collaboration.
Further enhancing its offerings, The AI Academy will integrate the expertise and cutting-edge technologies of tech giant NVIDIA into select programs, reinforcing its mission to accelerate AI readiness and real-world deployment throughout the region. Participants also have the unique opportunity to join an optional five-day international module in Europe or the United States, expanding their exposure to leading global innovation ecosystems.
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This initiative underscores the UAE’s unwavering commitment to shaping future-ready leadership and solidifying its position as a global hub for AI adoption and regulation. The program is expected to play a pivotal role in contributing to an AI economy projected to add over US$96 billion to the UAE’s GDP by 2031, making it a key enabler of national economic impact. The target audience for the Executive Programme for Chief AI Officer includes C-suite leaders (such as CAIOs, CTOs, CIOs, CISOs), public sector advisors, innovation leads, and senior strategy, transformation, and digital executives across both private and government sectors.
