UAE Leads Global Surge in Generative AI Learning with 344% Spike in Enrollments

The United Arab Emirates has posted a staggering 344% year-over-year increase in Generative AI (GenAI) course enrollments, outpacing both regional and global averages, according to Coursera’s 2025 Global Skills Report. The surge reflects the UAE’s growing investment in digital transformation and future-ready talent development, reinforcing its position as a regional leader in AI education.

The report, compiled by the online learning platform Coursera, which has more than 170 million users globally, highlights that the UAE’s GenAI enrollment growth surpasses the MENA regional average of 128% and the global average of 195%. The country’s digital upskilling push is further evidenced by the fact that 13% of its labor force is actively engaged in online learning.

Driven by national strategies such as the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, the UAE’s focus on emerging technologies is underscored by 87% of employers prioritizing skills in AI, technology literacy, and big data. Professional certificate enrollments in the country rose by 41%, including a 14% increase in cybersecurity courses, reflecting demand for job-relevant digital credentials.

The UAE’s rapid advancement in AI education is mirrored in its strong showing on Coursera’s newly introduced AI Maturity Index. Ranking first in the Arab world and 32nd globally out of 109 countries, the UAE demonstrates high readiness for AI adoption. The index evaluates learner engagement alongside data from the IMF and OECD.

National initiatives such as the proposed 5GW AI Campus and the integration of AI education in public schools support the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to have AI contribute to more than 20% of the non-oil GDP.

“The UAE is rapidly scaling AI learning and infrastructure to drive workforce transformation and regional innovation,” said Kais Zribi, Coursera’s General Manager for the Middle East and Africa. “Its strong performance on the AI Maturity Index and skills proficiency rankings highlight its ability to close talent gaps and lead in AI readiness.”

However, challenges remain. The UAE ranks 38th globally in overall skills proficiency, despite topping the Arab world. It shows high competence in business skills (85%), moderate proficiency in data science (59%), and room for improvement in technology skills (52%).

Gender disparity in tech education also persists. While women represent 32% of online learners in the UAE, only 24% are enrolled in STEM and just 21% in GenAI courses, suggesting a critical need for more inclusive digital growth.

Mobile learning is becoming increasingly popular, with 41% of UAE users accessing courses via smartphones. Among the MENA region’s 10.8 million learners, 1.3 million are based in the UAE, with a median age of 36, indicating a mature and digitally aware workforce.

Despite its progress, 72% of UAE employers still cite skill shortages as a key challenge—above the global average—signaling that the journey toward a fully AI-ready workforce is ongoing.