United Arab Emirates leads MENA region in AI readiness and skills synergy

The United Arab Emirates has ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and sixth globally on Coursera’s new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index. The report highlights the country's ability to integrate AI skill development with the human capabilities required to apply them effectively.

In the UAE, AI course enrollments have increased by 75% year-over-year, with significant growth in specific areas: AI security enrollments rose 243%, generative AI rose 117%, and agentic workflows grew 100%. This trend coincides with a decade-high university enrollment period, with over 57,000 new students entering higher education institutions during the 2024-25 academic year.

Educational institutions are adapting to a shifting job market where 41% of workers’ core skills in the UAE are expected to change by 2030. Universities are increasingly focusing on combining technical AI proficiency with critical human skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and responsible decision-making to prepare graduates for an AI-driven economy.