Abu Dhabi launches AiNative programme to train 20,000 government staff in AI
Abu Dhabi's Department of Government Enablement launched AiNative at the Ai Everything conference. It aims to give 20,000 government employees practical AI skills by the end of 2026 and will later open to the public.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2Abu Dhabi launched a training programme called AiNative on Wednesday 7 October 2026 at the Ai Everything conference in the capital. It aims to give 20,000 government employees practical AI skills by the end of 2026. Gulf NewsN “aims to equip 20,000 government employees with practical AI skills by the end of 2026” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “The key strategy will provide 20,000 government employees with cutting-edge support by the end of the year” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1The programme was developed by Abu Dhabi's Department of Government Enablement (DGE) with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). Gulf News reports that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the exhibition. Gulf NewsN “AiNative was developed by the Department of Government Enablement (DGE), Abu Dhabi in collaboration with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).”“They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at the exhibition.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2Government employees will be trained to use ChatGPT, Codex and Microsoft 365 Copilot in their daily work. Specialised, function-specific certifications, such as in coding and data, will follow in later phases, and there is a dedicated programme for department leaders. The NationalN “Specialised, function-specific certifications, including areas such as coding and data, will follow in later phases of the project.” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “The initiative includes foundation courses for government employees and the public, as well as a dedicated programme for department leaders.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 2The free programme will later be opened to citizens and residents through Tomouh, DGE's AI-powered learning app, using UAE Pass. It will be delivered through the free version of ChatGPT and will cover everyday uses such as managing personal finances, running a small business, finding a job, studying and creating content responsibly. The NationalN “Citizens and residents will be able to access the training programme via Tomouh, DGE's AI-driven learning app, which can be accessed through the UAE Pass government app.” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “Delivered through the free version of ChatGPT, it will show users how AI can help with everyday tasks” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1A pilot is already under way within government, and the public programme will follow. The National says DGE owns the curriculum. The NationalN “An initial pilot within government is already under way, before it will be made public.”“DGE owns the curriculum, which has been developed in collaboration with OpenAI, Microsoft and MBZUAI.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 2Officials describe the programme as part of Abu Dhabi's goal of becoming the world's first AI-native government by 2027. Wesam Lootah, director general of GovDigital at DGE, said it would give employees and the wider community the knowledge and confidence to use AI responsibly. Gulf NewsN “the emirate works towards becoming the world’s first AI-native government by 2027” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “giving government employees and the wider community practical skills to use AI responsibly in their work and everyday lives.” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 2Partner executives also commented. Amr Kamel of Microsoft UAE said becoming an AI-native government is as much about people as technology. Farouk El Hamzawi of OpenAI MENA said it starts with AI-confident people. Eric Xing, president of MBZUAI, stressed access to AI for all and life-long learning. Gulf NewsN “becoming an AI-native government is as much about people as it is about technology.”“Becoming an AI-native nation starts with AI-confident people.” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “Championing a culture of life-long learning ensures that the benefits of new technologies are understood and realised responsibly by all” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 2The launch follows the rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot to 35,000 Abu Dhabi Government employees under the Frontier Employee Programme, announced in July. The National adds that the programme sits within the Digital Strategy 2025-2027, which allocates Dh13 billion ($3.5 billion) to digital infrastructure and is expected to contribute more than Dh24 billion to the economy by 2027. Gulf NewsN “The launch follows the rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot to 35,000 Abu Dhabi Government employees under the Frontier Employee Programme announced in July.” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “the programme will allocate Dh13 billion ($3.5 billion) to boost digital infrastructure”“expected to contribute more than Dh24 billion to Abu Dhabi’s economy by 2027” Read at The National ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets present the launch as a supportive, official-sourced announcement of a government–industry–academia skills drive toward an AI-native government by 2027.
- Emphasis
- Gulf News leads with the 20,000 target and partner quotes; The National adds the Digital Strategy 2025-2027 budget and economic context.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither reports costs of the programme itself, independent assessment, or criticism.
- Charged language
- “major artificial intelligence training programme”“cutting-edge support”
- For example
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“Abu Dhabi-Abu Dhabi Government has launched a major artificial intelligence training programme” — Gulf News
“The key strategy will provide 20,000 government employees with cutting-edge support by the end of the year” — The National
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- AiNative was launched at Ai Everything in Abu Dhabi on 7 October 2026 by the Department of Government Enablement with OpenAI, Microsoft and MBZUAI.
- It targets 20,000 government employees by end of 2026 and will open to the public via Tomouh and UAE Pass.
- A government pilot is under way.
- It follows the Copilot rollout to 35,000 government employees announced in July.
Abu Dhabi place
Abu Dhabi's government, through DGE, presents AiNative as building a common foundation for an AI-enabled society and as central to becoming the first AI-native government by 2027.
“we are building a common foundation for an AI-enabled society and government.” — The National
AiNative other
AiNative is described as a free, phased programme covering government staff first and then the public, with certifications to come.
“AiNative is being rolled out in phases.” — The National
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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Abu Dhabi to train 20,000 government employees in AI by end of 2026
Neutral Straightforward announcement report leading with the target and partner executives' quotes.
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Abu Dhabi launches major training programme to teach AI skills to the public
Sympathetic Announcement report adding strategy and economic background, largely echoing official messaging.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 7 Oct 08:13 First Gulf NewsN Abu Dhabi to train 20,000 government employees in AI by end of 2026
- 7 Oct 10:00 +1h 47m The NationalN Abu Dhabi launches major training programme to teach AI skills to the public
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.