Abu Dhabi: Thirty-seven senior leaders from various organizations in the UAE have successfully completed the fifth cohort of the Executive Program at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) MEP.
Throughout the 16-week program, participants received guidance from top AI experts, focusing on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence to tackle societal challenges and promote sustainability across various industries. This intensive curriculum aimed to equip leaders with the necessary skills to leverage AI in their respective fields effectively.
This year’s cohort featured a diverse group of leaders from both government and various industries, including energy, finance, law, transportation, logistics, health, sports, and education. Notably, 57% of the participants were from the public sector, with 86% being UAE nationals. Additionally, 68% held C-suite roles or higher, with 19% serving in positions such as undersecretaries, secretaries-general, CEOs, or directors-general.
Organizations represented in the program included the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Government Enablement (DGE), Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, M42, Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ), ADNOC, Etihad Airways, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), and Emirates Post.
This cohort marked the first to experience the newly enhanced MEP, which was extended by four weeks compared to previous editions. The program placed a greater emphasis on industry, focusing on the practical application of AI principles across various sectors.
The 5th MEP cohort was themed ‘Cohort of Sustainability’, highlighting gender balance with nearly half of the participants being women. This diversity enriched the capstone projects, allowing participants to leverage their AI knowledge to address real-world challenges, aligning with the UAE’s initiative for the second Year of Sustainability.
The recent capstone projects presented by the fifth cohort of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence’s Executive Program tackled significant national challenges in the UAE. Among the notable initiatives was an AI-powered system designed to improve traffic management in Abu Dhabi. Another project focused on developing an app aimed at managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. Additionally, there was an AI-driven platform intended to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Other projects targeted specific sectors within the UAE, including a personalized learning platform for educational institutions and a solution aimed at bridging the gap between academia, industry, investors, and government to foster innovation. These projects reflect the diverse applications of AI and the commitment to addressing pressing societal needs in the UAE.
As part of their AI community engagement, MEP participants visited ADNOC, DGE, ENEC, and Al Tamimi & Company. In addition to classroom-based learning, they worked on their capstone projects to apply their AI insights in practical, industry-relevant settings.
MBZUAI Provost Professor Timothy Baldwin, said that, “The fifth MEP cohort exemplifies what is possible when talented leaders are empowered with transformative tools like AI. The participants combined their leadership skills with imagination, empathy, and entrepreneurial thinking, showing what ethical AI can achieve to improve lives. Their six AI solutions hold the potential to address some of society’s most pressing challenges, not only in the UAE but around the world.”
The judging panel awarded the top honor to ‘FalconVision’ for its innovative proposal aimed at collecting data that government and private stakeholders can utilize for identifying and developing individual children’s athletic talents.
This approach underscores the commitment to not only advancing AI capabilities but also promoting inclusivity and sustainable development within the region.
This blend of professionals reflects the program’s aim to equip senior leaders with the skills to leverage AI in their sectors effectively, fostering innovation and collaboration across various fields.