Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, witnessed the launch of a new partnership between American University of Sharjah and the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office, an effort to build a workforce prepared for the future of AI. The collaboration will launch “Digital Talents in Sharjah,” a program designed to equip students and alumni with practical AI skills aligned with the objectives of the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. “This agreement reflects the important role universities play in preparing talent for a future shaped by artificial intelligence and digital innovation,” said Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS. Through this initiative, the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office and AUS aim to strengthen pathways for emerging talent and reinforce the link between higher education and national development.
AUS and UAE AI Office Launch “Digital Talents in Sharjah”
The partnership will launch a focused program, “Digital Talents in Sharjah,” to cultivate skilled professionals within the Sharjah region, extending the UAE’s national AI strategy to a geographically targeted initiative. The agreement, formalized by Saqr Binghalib and Dr. Tod Laursen, aims to equip current students and alumni with practical skills in artificial intelligence and related technologies. The initiative will focus on applied digital skills, bridging the gap between education and the demands of the market, and supporting the UAE’s ambitions for digital transformation and sustainable development. Saqr Binghalib affirmed that “Digital Talents in Sharjah” embodies the UAE government’s investment in human capital as a cornerstone of its AI leadership, and will play a key role in equipping students and graduates with applied digital skills that align educational outcomes with market demands. Beyond the new program, AUS has expanded AI-related learning opportunities to more than 50 undergraduate and 43 graduate courses, and faculty have published over 250 AI-focused research papers in the past five years, demonstrating a commitment to the field and a foundation for this new partnership.
AUS Expands AI Integration Across Learning and Research
This initiative demonstrates a commitment to building a pipeline of skilled professionals equipped to contribute to the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, moving beyond theoretical study to practical application. Tod Laursen explained that the effort isn’t merely about adding AI courses, but about systemic integration across the university’s curriculum. Over the past five years, AUS has expanded AI-related learning opportunities to more than 50 undergraduate and 43 graduate courses, indicating a substantial investment in AI education. Faculty research has also flourished, with over 250 AI-focused papers published, demonstrating a robust academic foundation supporting the program. The university’s AI Hub, operating within the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, provides a dedicated space for AI exploration while prioritizing ethical considerations, privacy, and critical thinking, essential components for responsible AI development and deployment.
This agreement reflects the important role universities must play in preparing talent for a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS
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