Abu Dhabi-based AI company AIREV Holding has partnered with innovative coding school 42 Abu Dhabi to launch an ambitious 12-week AI agent building challenge. The program uses AIREV’s OnDemand platform to push students into creating functional AI agents that solve real-world problems.
The challenge brings together two key players in the UAE’s growing tech ecosystem. AIREV, led by CEO Muhammed Khalid, develops AI infrastructure and platforms. 42 Abu Dhabi operates as part of the global 42 Network, offering tuition-free coding education through peer-to-peer learning without traditional classes or teachers.
Over the 12-week period, student teams will compete to build 42 distinct AI agents using the OnDemand platform. Each team tackles real-world issues across industries including productivity, automation, data analysis, energy, finance, and logistics.
The OnDemand platform serves as the technical foundation for the challenge. This AI operating system allows developers to deploy models directly from sources like Hugging Face, supporting both open-source and closed-source models. The platform includes a plugins marketplace where developers can create, deploy, and sell AI tools.
The system runs on Core42’s infrastructure, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign cloud provider. Core42 provides high-performance GPU clusters and access to models including JAIS, described as the world’s most performant Arabic Large Language Model, plus Azure OpenAI’s GPT-4 family.
Students gain hands-on experience building AI agents while receiving mentorship from AIREV’s technical team. Top-performing teams earn cash prizes and internship offers, creating direct pathways into the AI industry.
The challenge aligns with broader regional AI development goals. The collaboration supports the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 by developing local talent and reducing barriers to AI development.
42 Abu Dhabi uses a gamified learning model where students advance at their own pace without traditional instruction. The school, supported by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge, has built a reputation for producing skilled developers through project-based learning.
The program represents a practical approach to AI education. Rather than theoretical coursework, students work on actual problems that businesses and organizations face daily. This hands-on method produces developers who understand both the technical aspects of AI and its real-world applications.
The company’s CEO Marek Bardoński brings over 15 years of commercial experience in natural language processing and predictive analytics, with previous work at NVIDIA Switzerland.
The challenge creates a pipeline for AI talent development in the region. Students graduate with practical experience building AI systems, while companies gain access to developers who understand current AI technologies and platforms.
The program runs exclusively for current 42 Abu Dhabi students, organized through the school’s existing project framework. Teams form organically and compete throughout the 12-week period, with regular checkpoints and technical support from AIREV’s engineers.
This initiative reflects the UAE’s broader push into AI leadership. By combining academic institutions with industry platforms, the program creates a model for developing AI talent that other regions might replicate.
