The demand for artificial intelligence (AI) expertise is rapidly increasing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), however, the current availability of skilled professionals is not meeting the growing needs of businesses, as observed by technology giant SAP. With AI applications becoming more pervasive across various business domains, companies in the UAE are keen to harness the advantages that this transformative technology offers. A survey conducted by SAP highlighted that 43 percent of IT decision-makers have identified the scarcity of skilled employees as a significant hurdle in implementing AI systems effectively.
In response to this challenge, a substantial 84 percent of UAE companies are aiming to recruit specialised AI staff within the next 15 months, despite the current talent pool seeming insufficient to meet the rising demand. To address the talent gap, SAP has introduced training programmes specifically targeting university students and Emirati graduates. Additionally, existing UAE workforce training is being enhanced across many firms. As reported, 57 percent of companies have already initiated AI-related training for their staffs, with another 35 percent planning to implement such training in the near future.
Marwan Zeineddine, the UAE Managing Director at SAP, emphasized that the surge in demand for technology skills, particularly in AI, is being driven by the rapid evolution of AI, ongoing large-scale digital transformations, and the need for a skilled workforce to support a diversified digital economy in the UAE. SAP is tackling this challenge directly by investing in both internal and external technology training initiatives within the country.
SAP's effort to groom the next generation of AI professionals includes its long-standing Young Professionals Programme, which has been operational for over ten years and has a significant focus on encouraging the participation of women in technology fields. Impressively, over 80 percent of recent graduates from the programme are Emirati women. The courses are specifically crafted with business AI applications in mind and are aimed at equipping participants with essential, hands-on technological experience and certification. Graduates leave the programme as SAP Associate Consultants with a globally commendable placement rate of 95 percent.
One of the UAE institutions participating in SAP's Young Professionals Program is the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Jawaher Alhosani, Product Owner of Technology Services at the bank, highlighted the program's role in equipping employees with advanced digital skills essential for navigating the evolving AI-driven landscape. The programme is seen as pivotal in promoting sustainable growth, professional development, and employee confidence.
In its efforts to bolster local talent during education, SAP is involved in two major initiatives: the SAP University Alliances Programme and the Dual Study Programme. These initiatives are designed to collaborate with UAE universities on research projects and offer students access to SAP software and teaching resources. They aim to prepare students for the SAP ecosystem, enabling them to engage in industry partnerships and participate in SAP events. The Dual Study Programme, coordinated by SAP's Digital Skills Centre, has facilitated over 800 students from UAE universities in gaining practical technology experience that complements their academic learning.
Additionally, starting in 2025, SAP University Alliances will launch an immersive learning tour for students from top UAE universities, including Zayed University. This programme involves a week-long visit to SAP's headquarters in Walldorf, Germany, where students will participate in workshops on key SAP technologies and strategies, such as AI and sustainability, and engage with SAP partners and local universities.
Through these comprehensive educational and professional initiatives, SAP is actively contributing to the development of a future-ready and highly skilled workforce in the UAE, aligned with the country's vision for a digital economy.
Source: Noah Wire Services