At Dubai AI Week 2025, Microsoft is expanding its regional push to equip students, educators, and professionals with practical AI skills. The company used the high-profile event to showcase the next phase of its “1 million AI learners” commitment, introducing new educational programs and participating in closed-door policy discussions that reflect the growing strategic importance of AI across sectors.
As part of its contribution to the UAE’s National AI Strategy, Microsoft is launching virtual sessions in private schools throughout Dubai, targeting students aged 14 to 18. Delivered in both English and Arabic, the sessions are designed to introduce young learners to foundational AI concepts through tools they may already be familiar with, such as Bing Chat, Minecraft, and Copilot. Alongside students, teachers will receive tailored resources that focus on using AI responsibly in the classroom. These include training on Microsoft tools like Reading Coach, Reflect, and Bing Chat, with an emphasis on safe and effective integration into educational settings.
This local school outreach forms part of a broader strategy to build digital fluency and foster AI literacy from an early age. Microsoft’s approach centers on free learning pathways such as Microsoft Learn, LinkedIn Learning, and the AI for Beginners series—resources that aim to make AI education more accessible and inclusive.
The company’s agenda in Dubai extends beyond education. Microsoft is actively engaging in strategic discussions at events like the GenAI Summit, hosted by Emirates NBD, where Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President of Worldwide Financial Services, will speak on the evolving role of generative AI in the financial sector. Additionally, Microsoft leadership will participate in the AI Retreat, a private forum convened by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The retreat brings together government officials, business leaders, and technologists to shape AI governance and adoption across industries.
Throughout Dubai AI Week, Microsoft is maintaining a strong presence through daily skilling sessions at the AI Assembly, organized in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation. These open-access workshops are designed to help customers and partners gain hands-on experience and deepen their understanding of applied AI.
Other key highlights include Microsoft’s role as a judge in the Global Prompt Engineering Championship, exclusive executive roundtables focused on the use of agentic AI in sectors like retail and government, and a booth at the Dubai AI Festival where attendees can explore the latest Copilot features and interact with Microsoft experts.
While the company’s messaging around AI often centers on accessibility and inclusion, its multifaceted engagement at Dubai AI Week also reflects a deeper ambition: to position itself as a central player in shaping AI’s trajectory in the region. With initiatives that span public education, enterprise use cases, and policymaking, Microsoft is aligning its efforts with the UAE’s goal of becoming a global leader in AI innovation and governance.
As AI adoption accelerates, the emphasis on skilling—not just technology—signals a shift in how companies like Microsoft are thinking about long-term impact. Rather than focusing solely on product features, the current strategy leans into ecosystem-building: equipping people with the tools and understanding needed to navigate a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
