Emirates NBD expands digital talent incubator into AI programme for Emirati SMEs
Emirates NBD is evolving its National Digital Talent Incubator (NDTI) into an artificial intelligence acceleration programme aimed at helping established Emirati-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopt practical AI solutions and improve business performance.
The next phase, known as NDTI AI, will focus on identifying high-value AI applications for participating businesses and supporting them in moving from initial ideas and experimentation towards implementation.
The initiative will be supported by industry partners, including DIFC Innovation Hub, Visa and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
The move marks a shift from NDTI's original focus on startups to hands-on support for established SMEs that are already customers of Emirates NBD.
Programme to support selected Emirati businesses
Each cohort is expected to include around four to five Emirati-owned SMEs selected from the bank's existing customer base. Emirates NBD plans to run two cohorts annually, with an emphasis on close engagement and measurable business outcomes.
Rather than offering a fixed set of solutions, the programme will identify opportunities based on the individual needs of participating companies.
Potential applications include customer service, sales and marketing, workflow and document automation, financial management, compliance and forecasting.
Emirates NBD will oversee programme operations and SME selection, while DIFC Innovation Hub will contribute to programme design, ecosystem access and opportunities to showcase results. AWS and Visa will also provide support.
Focus on practical AI adoption
Rohit Garg, Group Head of Retail Products and Chief Digital Officer of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, said the programme would help SMEs identify relevant AI applications and access the expertise needed to put them into practice.
He said the initiative would enable business owners to assess opportunities, test solutions and move viable ideas towards implementation, strengthening their capabilities and competitiveness.
Garg added that the programme builds on Emirates NBD's position in AI maturity, citing its first-place ranking among banks in the Middle East and Africa in the Evident AI Index for Banks.
Mario Makary, Visa's UAE Country Manager, said AI was changing how businesses operate, serve customers and identify growth opportunities.
He said Visa would contribute its payments expertise, innovation capabilities and understanding of changing customer needs to help businesses turn AI applications into practical and scalable solutions.
The collaboration aims to support responsible AI adoption and help Emirati SMEs translate technological innovation into commercial outcomes.
