Employees in the UAE are now the most skilled in the Arab world, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, according to Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2025. With generative AI enrolments surging 344% year-on-year, the highest in the region, the UAE reflects a growing alignment between talent development and the country’s broader digital economy agenda.

The report highlights that 13% of the UAE workforce actively trains on Coursera, the highest rate among spotlight countries in the region, demonstrating a strong appetite for continuous upskilling.

Employers are responding to this shift, with 87% citing technological literacy, AI, and big data as top hiring priorities. Meanwhile, professional certificate enrolments rose 41%, outpacing regional averages, as more organisations seek future-ready talent to bridge persistent skill gaps, reported by 72% of UAE firms as a key barrier to progress.

Government-led programmes like Nafis are helping exceed private-sector Emiratisation targets, while national policy is steering the economy toward white-collar, knowledge-based roles. Top UAE learner interests include AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and leadership development, underscoring the country’s transition from a labour-intensive to a knowledge-driven workforce.

: Khaleej Times>