e& Celebrates AI Graduate Programme Milestone, Empowering 284 Emirati Tech Leaders
e& has reached a significant milestone in its AI Graduate Programme, recognising the graduation of a new cohort of Emirati tech professionals. Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has successfully hired and trained 284 exceptional Emirati graduates, highlighting the group’s commitment to developing local talent and building a digitally empowered workforce for the UAE's innovation-led future.
The recent graduation ceremony took place at Atlantis, Dubai, and welcomed over 500 attendees, including e&’s senior leadership and the families of the 25 newly graduated professionals. The event celebrated not only the accomplishments of these graduates but also e&’s ongoing dedication to preparing Emiratis for leadership roles in the country’s tech-driven economy.
Following the ceremony, e& hosted its One& Celebration, where Group CEO and senior executives honoured the AI graduates along with outstanding employees who exemplify the company's core values of innovation and excellence.
Ali Al Mansoori, Group Chief People Officer at e&, stated: “Our AI Graduate Programme stands as a benchmark for excellence in emerging talent development, empowering participants with the critical skills needed in an AI-driven world. This initiative is central to our strategy of preparing Emirati talent to lead in shaping the next era of technological innovation.”
The programme aligns with global AI workforce projections, which estimate that AI will create 170 million new jobs by 2030, leading to a net gain of 78 million roles. e& has made inclusivity a cornerstone of the initiative, achieving a strong gender balance: 62% of graduates are women, with an overall female participation rate of 81% since 2021.
Structured as an intensive 12-month experience, the AI Graduate Programme offers hands-on learning in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning (ML), big data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity. The programme also emphasises leadership development, communication, decision-making, and emotional intelligence, with each participant receiving a personalised development plan including mentoring, coaching, and continuous feedback.
Developed in partnership with globally recognised educational platforms like Udacity, MIT, Harvard Business Review, LinkedIn, and Udemy, the programme is a pillar of e&’s Emiratisation efforts and future workforce strategy.
