Dubai just unlocked a new chapter in its artificial intelligence journey. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, witnessed the official launch of the city’s first PhD programme in Artificial Intelligence. The programme, introduced by the University of Birmingham Dubai, adds a new layer to the emirate’s push to become a global innovation and tech powerhouse.
A Vision in Action: Academic Sector Joins AI Race
Speaking at the launch, Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the vital role of academic institutions in shaping the future.
“The academic sector plays a key role in shaping our future. Its contribution is crucial in preparing the talent and expertise required to drive Dubai’s future readiness,” he said.
He added that the programme will train experts in areas critical to Dubai’s digital transformation, smart cities, advanced healthcare, sustainability, and future mobility. All of which are major pillars of Dubai’s technological ambitions.
Backed by National Strategy, Built for Global Impact
This initiative is directly aligned with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. It aims to ensure ethical, inclusive, and impactful AI development across the region. The PhD programme is fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), ensuring it meets high academic and research standards.
The programme offers specialisations in:
- AI for medicine and healthcare
- Natural language processing
- Computer vision
- AI ethics and regulation
- Explainable and trustworthy AI
Students will receive personalised academic supervision and research support. They’ll also get access to advanced AI labs, innovation incubators, and government initiatives aimed at accelerating AI innovation.
Building Talent, Powering Innovation
This PhD is about building a strong AI talent pipeline. The UAE wants homegrown experts who can lead the charge in the global tech space. The initiative was developed in collaboration with the UAE National Program for Artificial Intelligence, showing a clear commitment to developing future leaders equipped with the right knowledge and tools.
Dubai AI Week: A Platform for Big Moves
The announcement was part of the ongoing Dubai AI Week 2025, which runs from April 21 to 25. Organised by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence under the Dubai Future Foundation, the event is backed by Sheikh Hamdan’s patronage and is designed to bring together global thought leaders in AI, from government and academia to startups and big tech.
For further information on the PhD in AI, please contact Professor Kashif Rajpoot on k.m.rajpoot@bham.ac.uk
