Under the visionary leadership of CEO Mansoor Jaffar, the ADGM Academy is driving a transformative educational strategy in Abu Dhabi, completely reinventing how professionals engage with AI. By equipping Emirati talent to master Artificial Intelligence and digital finance, the academy is actively working to secure the UAE’s long-term position as an unstoppable global leader in innovation and economic development.
Driving the Innovation Economy
The rapid transformation of global markets demands a workforce capable of adapting to unprecedented technological shifts. Recognizing this, the ADGM Academy has outlined three core strategic objectives leading up to 2030: building future-ready national talent, strengthening overall workforce capabilities, and decisively positioning Abu Dhabi as a premier regional hub for applied research and executive development.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Mansoor Jaffar highlighted the proactive nature of this educational blueprint:
“Our objective is to ensure that Emiratis are not only prepared for the jobs AI will create, but are equipped to shape them, lead them, and drive the next phase of innovation-led growth.”
The academy’s mission goes far beyond merely preparing individuals for today’s job market. It is profoundly focused on cultivating the advanced capabilities that will define the economy of tomorrow. This is particularly evident in high-growth sectors such as AI, digital assets, sustainable finance, and entrepreneurship.
The Launch of the School of AI
In 2026, the academy is placing a massive emphasis on market impact and tangible outcomes. A cornerstone of this strategy is the recent launch of the ADGM Academy School of AI. This specialized initiative is designed to equip both corporates and professionals with advanced Agentic AI skills, ensuring a well-rounded and highly productive workforce capable of leveraging automation.
Remarkably, 95 percent of the academy’s own employees have already received comprehensive AI training. According to Jaffar, this milestone marks the beginning of a crucial new phase. The strategic focus is now shifting from simply understanding artificial intelligence to applying it responsibly and effectively within daily operations to maximize productivity.
“We also see significant opportunities to collaborate with leading global technology companies and academic institutions to bring internationally recognised AI credentials and specialised learning pathways to the region,” Jaffar explained, noting the aggressive expansion of executive-level capability-building programmes.
Hybrid Skillsets for a Dynamic Future
Preparing Emirati professionals for a technology-driven future requires more than just coding skills or technical training. It demands a holistic capability agenda that merges digital fluency, analytical thinking, sector expertise, and strategic leadership. As new roles continually emerge at the intersection of finance, data, and sustainability, those who can blend national ambition with future-focused competencies will be the ones leading organizational transformations across Abu Dhabi.
The financial sector will remain a dominant engine for talent demand, especially as wealth management, fintech, tokenisation, and blockchain-enabled finance continue to rapidly expand. To ensure professionals are ready, these areas are now treated as essential, non-negotiable competencies. The ADGM Academy Tech Centre serves as a vital bridge, connecting academic theory directly with live industry challenges and practical market applications.
By closely collaborating with international regulators and leading global tech organizations, the ADGM Academy guarantees that its learning pathways remain fiercely relevant. Furthermore, the academy’s recent entrepreneurial programmes have yielded highly encouraging results, fostering a robust pipeline of founders ready to build scalable, investment-ready businesses. Through these comprehensive and forward-thinking efforts, Abu Dhabi is solidifying its reputation as an elite powerhouse of professional excellence, perfectly calibrated for the AI era.
