The University of Dubai and the Artificial Intelligence Journalism for Research and Forecasting (AIJRF) have launched a region-wide initiative to equip Arab academics with advanced skills in artificial intelligence, marking a significant step in the Arab world’s digital academic transformation.
Dubbed Arab AI Researchers (AAIR), the initiative is the first of its kind in the region and forms part of the broader Arab Index for Artificial Intelligence in Universities (AIU), which was unveiled last year.
It is designed to accelerate the use of AI technologies in research, curricula, and academic administration across Arab universities.
“The program supports our ambition to integrate AI into every layer of higher education,” said Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai. “We are enabling Arab researchers and educators to become not just AI users, but leaders in AI-led academic innovation.”
The training platform will offer intensive, practical courses three times annually, each cohort composed of 150 academics and researchers. Participants will be exposed to 15 hours of hands-on sessions across four days, covering tools for research writing, classroom management, automated assessments, and AI-generated project development.
Beyond training, the AAIR initiative aims to create a pan-Arab knowledge hub centered on AI in education. Participants completing the course will receive certification from AIJRF, the University of Dubai, and other academic institutions.
Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri, Director of the Center for Futures Studies at the university, said the program is expected to “enhance AI integration from undergraduate to postgraduate levels while developing local Arabic-language resources sensitive to regional academic contexts.”
Dr. Mohamed Abdulzaher, CEO of AIJRF, underscored the program’s dual focus: “AAIR not only strengthens technical capacity in AI applications but also embeds ethical awareness in how emerging technologies are used in classrooms and research environments.”
Founded in 2018, AIJRF is the world’s first research organization specializing in the convergence of AI, journalism, and the Metaverse. It operates over 20 initiatives globally, and AAIR now stands as its flagship academic effort in the Arab world.
The organizers said the initiative is expected to raise the standard of academic publishing in the region, promote AI-enabled teaching methodologies, and help cultivate a new generation of Arab AI scholars prepared to shape the future of education and technology.
Business News Asia
