Amazon Web Services and global technology group e& have launched a nationwide training initiative to upskill 30,000 individuals across the UAE in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The “AI Nation – Afaaq” program, announced at GITEX Global 2025, forms part of the US$1 billion strategic alliance between e& and AWS established last year. It is designed to address the significant AI skills gap identified by 46% of UAE organizations, which has hindered large-scale implementation of AI solutions despite widespread recognition of the technology’s business impact.
The initiative will be delivered through e& Academy, with AWS providing 30,000 certification vouchers for industry-recognized credentials. These include 25,000 vouchers for the foundational AWS Certified AI Practitioner and 5,000 for the advanced AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate certification.
Trainees will receive free access to self-paced digital training on AWS Skill Builder, complemented by live interactive sessions with AWS Cloud Coaches to prepare for certification exams. The program aims to build a future-ready workforce that supports the UAE’s digital economy ambitions, aligned with national frameworks such as the UAE Centennial 2071.
Harrison Lung, Group Chief Strategy Officer at e&, emphasized the program’s role in developing the next generation of talent to drive UAE innovation in the global digital economy. Madhavi Reddy, Managing Director for AWS in MENA and Turkey, highlighted the importance of collaboration in making world-class digital skills training accessible across the UAE.
The program addresses critical findings from an IDC report showing that while 78% of UAE organizations prioritize AI investment, nearly half face implementation barriers due to skills shortages. By scaling AI and cloud capabilities across the workforce, the partnership aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global technology hub.
