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Qatar Tribune
16-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar sees 194% surge in GenAI enrollments, 55% growth in professional certificates: Coursera
DOHA: Coursera, a leading online learning platform, has announced that Qatar has seen a 194 percent year-over-year increase in Generative AI (GenAI) enrollments and a 55 percent growth in Professional Certificate enrollments across Qatar, pointing to growing demand for flexible, job-relevant credentials that correspond to national transformation goals. The report revealed that Qatar now leads the Arab world in technology and data science skills, scoring 64 percent in each domain, and also demonstrates strong performance in business skills with a score of 72 percent. These results align with the country's focus on digital and human capital development under its Digital Agenda 2030, which aims to boost professional competencies by 10 percent and grow the ICT sector to 3.5 percent of non-oil GDP by the end of the decade. According to the report, Qatar ranks 3rd in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for overall skills proficiency, climbing to 40th place globally in 2025, up from 76th in 2023 and 58th in 2024, according to the platform's annual Global Skills Report. This leap reflects Qatar's ambitious push toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy and a future-ready workforce. Drawing on data from Coursera's global community of over 170 million learners, the report identifies where skill proficiencies are rising, where gaps remain, and what drives learner behavior across more than 100 countries. Qatar's growing investment in AI as a national priority is already shaping both learner behavior and employer demand. Based on the set of skills emphasized in the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, artificial intelligence and machine learning have emerged as the most in-demand skills among employers, with learner enrollments in these areas from Qatar rising by 145 percent. This surge supports the goals of Qatar's Artificial Intelligence Strategy and broader economic diversification agenda, especially as 41 percent of employees view AI as a crucial reskilling pathway. In this context, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa Kais Zribi said: "Driven by a clear vision for the future, Qatar is transforming its advanced digital infrastructure into a catalyst for AI-powered innovation and sustainable economic growth. Coursera's Global Skills Report 2025 underscores Qatar's commitment to human capital development as it proactively equips its workforce with advanced technical and job-relevant skills needed to excel in the digital age. This effort is poised to fuel further innovation, positioning Qatar as a regional leader in the digital economy." Among Coursera's 10.8 million learners in MENA, over 200,000 are based in Qatar, with a median age of 36. Nearly half (49 percent) of these learners access the platform via mobile devices. Today, 9 percent of Qatar's labor force is actively learning on Coursera, reflecting the nation's vision for digital fluency and workforce readiness. New to this year's report is the AI Maturity Index, which assesses countries' readiness for AI by combining Coursera learner data with external metrics from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Qatar ranks 45th globally out of 109 countries and among the top five in the region, signaling strong potential for AI-driven growth.
Arabian Business
11-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE leads Arab world in AI learning surge, says new Coursera report
Generative AI is gaining rapid traction in the UAE, with enrollments on Coursera soaring by 344 per cent over the past year. This surge far exceeds both the global average growth rate of 195 per cent and the MENA region's 128 per cent, as highlighted in Coursera's latest Global Skills Report. A strong shift in employer priorities is evident in the UAE, where 87 per cent of companies now emphasise the importance of technology literacy, artificial intelligence, and big data. This reflects a growing demand for talent equipped with emerging tech skills and prepared for the future of work, one of the key findings from the seventh year of Coursera's Global Skills Report. The Global Skills Report highlights the UAE's ongoing success in cultivating a digitally proficient workforce. With 13 per cent of its workforce engaged in online learning through Coursera, the nation remains at the forefront of digital skill development in the region. Enrollments in professional certificates surged by 41 per cent, including a notable 14 per cent rise in cybersecurity, signaling a strong appetite for career-focused qualifications. Coursera's global learner base, spanning more than 170 million people across 100+ countries, serves as the foundation for this report's analysis of skill trends. Rather than offering a single narrative, it maps out three key dimensions: where proficiency is improving, where gaps persist, and what motivates learners worldwide. A notable highlight is the UAE, where surging interest in generative AI courses signals a deliberate and strategic national effort. This momentum reflects the country's broader ambition: to shape a future-ready, knowledge-based economy led by skilled Emiratis, as envisioned in the 'We the UAE 2031' strategy. UAE leads in AI readiness This year's report introduces the AI Maturity Index, a new metric that evaluates a nation's preparedness for artificial intelligence by integrating data from Coursera learners alongside external indicators from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Among Arab countries, the UAE leads the region, ranking 1 st, and secures the 32 nd position worldwide out of 109 nations, reflecting a strong base in AI development, research, and practical implementation of AI expertise. The UAE's top-tier AI Maturity ranking and rapid adoption of generative AI across various industries highlight its goal of establishing itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence. Projects such as the upcoming 5GW AI Campus and the inclusion of AI as a compulsory subject in public education reinforce this vision, aligning with the UAE National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031. This strategy aims to position the nation at the forefront of AI innovation by 2031. Additionally, these initiatives support the broader objective of boosting the digital economy's share of non-oil GDP to over 20 per cent by 2031, reflecting the country's long-term commitment to digital transformation and economic leadership. 'The UAE is rapidly scaling AI learning and infrastructure to drive workforce transformation and regional innovation. Its strong performance on Coursera's AI Maturity Index, combined with high rankings in overall skills proficiency, demonstrates the country's growing ability to close skill gaps, nurture future talent, and lead in AI readiness. As digital transformation reshapes industries, the UAE is setting a powerful example of how nations can leverage education to build a competitive, inclusive digital economy that prepares its workforce for the future,' Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said in a statement. UAE leads the Arab world in skills proficiency The United Arab Emirates holds the 38 th position globally in overall skills proficiency, according to data covering business, technology, and data science. It stands out in the Arab region, ranking first among its peers. Business skills are a strong suit for the UAE, with an impressive 85 per cent proficiency score. Technology and data science follow with 52 per cent and 59 per cent proficiency, respectively. The UAE also plays a significant role in the regional online learning landscape. Of the 10.8 million Coursera learners across the MENA region, 1.3 million are based in the UAE, with a median age of 36. A noteworthy trend is the rise of mobile learning in the country—41 per cent of learners now access courses via mobile devices, highlighting a shift toward more flexible, on-the-go education. Despite notable advancements, the UAE still faces persistent challenges in workforce readiness. Nearly 72 per cent of employers in the country report skills gaps as a significant obstacle—a figure that exceeds the global average. Bridging these gaps will require targeted efforts, particularly in boosting women's participation in emerging technology sectors. This is not only vital for promoting gender equity, but also crucial for sustaining long-term economic growth and innovation. Currently, women represent 32 per cent of Coursera learners in the UAE. However, their enrollment in key fields remains limited, with only 24 per cent in STEM courses and 21 per cent in generative AI programs. These figures point to substantial untapped potential to advance diversity and inclusion in the tech workforce.
Mid East Info
10-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
UAE Accelerates Digital Transformation with 344% Growth in GenAI Enrollments and Leading AI Maturity Ranking: Coursera
87% of UAE employers prioritize AI, big data, and tech literacy; Professional Certificate enrollments grow 41% Dubai, UAE –June 2025: Coursera, a leading online learning platform, has announced a remarkable 344% year-over-year increase in Generative AI (GenAI) enrollments in the UAE, significantly outpacing the MENA regional average of 128% and the global average of 195%, according to the platform's annual Global Skills Report. Now in its seventh year, the report also reveals that 87% of UAE employers prioritize technology literacy, AI, and big data, signaling a robust rise in demand for future-ready talent equipped with emerging tech capabilities. The Global Skills Report 2025 further confirms the UAE's strong progress in building a digitally skilled workforce. The country continues to lead the region in digital upskilling, with 13% of its labor force actively learning on Coursera. Professional Certificate enrollments also rose by 41%, including a 14% increase in cybersecurity, reflecting growing demand for job-relevant credentials. Drawing on data from Coursera's global community of over 170 million learners, the report identifies where skill proficiencies are rising, where gaps remain, and what drives learner behavior across more than 100 countries. The UAE's strong performance and sharp rise in GenAI enrollments highlights its strategic push toward building a knowledge-based economy powered by skilled Emirati talent, aligned with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision. New to this year's report is the AI Maturity Index, which assesses countries' readiness for AI by combining Coursera learner data with external metrics from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The UAE ranks first in the Arab world and 32nd globally out of 109 countries, showcasing a solid foundation in AI innovation, research, and the real-world application of AI skills. The UAE's strong AI Maturity ranking and accelerated GenAI adoption across sectors underscore its ambition to become a global AI hub. Initiatives such as the planned 5GW AI Campus and the integration of AI as a mandatory subject in public schools support this ambition and align with the UAE National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to position the country as a global AI leader by 2031. These efforts are central to the UAE's broader goal of increasing the digital economy's contribution to over 20% of non-oil GDP by 2031, a target that reflects the country's long-term vision for digital and economic leadership. Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said: 'The UAE is rapidly scaling AI learning and infrastructure to drive workforce transformation and regional innovation. Its strong performance on Coursera's AI Maturity Index, combined with high rankings in overall skills proficiency, demonstrates the country's growing ability to close skill gaps, nurture future talent, and lead in AI readiness. As digital transformation reshapes industries, the UAE is setting a powerful example of how nations can leverage education to build a competitive, inclusive digital economy that prepares its workforce for the future.' The UAE ranks 38th globally in overall skills proficiency across business, technology, and data science, placing first in the Arab world. The country scores especially high in business skills (85%), with strong proficiency in technology (52%) and data science (59%). Among the 10.8 million Coursera learners in MENA, 1.3 million are based in the UAE, with a median age of 36. Notably, learners in the UAE are increasingly embracing mobile learning, with 41% accessing content via mobile devices. While these indicators show meaningful progress, challenges remain. 72% of UAE employers continue to cite skills gaps as a major barrier, above the global average. Closing these gaps will require increasing women's participation in emerging technology fields, which is essential not only for achieving gender equity but also for driving long-term economic transformation. Currently, women make up 32% of Coursera learners in the UAE, with 24% enrolled in STEM courses and 21% in GenAI, highlighting untapped potential to advance gender equity in the tech sector. About Coursera: Coursera was launched in 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, with a mission to provide universal access to world-class learning. It is now one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 175 million registered learners as of March 31, 2025. Coursera partners with over 350 leading universities and industry leaders to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, and degrees. Coursera's platform innovations enable instructors to deliver scalable, personalized, and verified learning experiences to their learners. Institutions worldwide rely on Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, citizens, and students in high-demand fields such as GenAI, data science, technology, and business. Coursera is a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp.
TECHx
09-06-2025
- Business
- TECHx
Coursera UAE Reports 344% Surge in GenAI Enrollments
Home » Smart Sectors » Education » Coursera UAE Reports 344% Surge in GenAI Enrollments Coursera UAE, a leading online learning platform, has announced a 344% year-over-year increase in Generative AI (GenAI) enrollments in the UAE. This growth far exceeds the MENA regional average of 128% and the global average of 195%. The data comes from Coursera's latest Global Skills Report, now in its seventh year. The report revealed that 87% of employers in the UAE prioritize technology literacy, AI, and big data. This highlights a rising demand for future-ready talent with emerging tech capabilities. Coursera also reported that 13% of the UAE's labor force is actively learning on the platform. Professional Certificate enrollments rose by 41%. Cybersecurity courses saw a 14% increase, signaling demand for job-relevant credentials. Drawing from over 170 million learners worldwide, the report identified skill proficiencies, gaps, and learning trends across more than 100 countries. The UAE's rapid rise in GenAI enrollments reflects a national drive toward a knowledge-based economy. This effort aligns with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision. This year's report introduced the AI Maturity Index. It assesses a country's readiness for AI using Coursera data and external sources like the IMF and OECD. The UAE ranked first in the Arab world and 32nd globally out of 109 countries. This ranking highlights the country's strong foundation in AI innovation, research, and real-world application of AI skills. Coursera noted several government-led initiatives that support this growth: A planned 5GW AI Campus Mandatory AI curriculum in public schools These efforts support the UAE's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031. The goal is to increase the digital economy's contribution to over 20% of non-oil GDP by 2031. Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said the UAE is scaling AI learning and infrastructure to drive transformation and innovation. He added that the UAE's high AI Maturity Index ranking and skill proficiency show its readiness to close gaps and lead in digital growth. The UAE currently ranks 38th globally in overall skills proficiency. It leads the Arab world in this metric, with 85% in business, 52% in technology, and 59% in data science. There are 1.3 million Coursera learners in the UAE, out of 10.8 million across MENA. The median age of learners is 36. Additionally, 41% access Coursera through mobile devices. Despite the progress, 72% of UAE employers still cite skills gaps as a major challenge above the global average. Increasing women's participation in tech is seen as key to bridging this gap. Women make up 32% of Coursera learners in the UAE. Of these, 24% are enrolled in STEM and 21% in GenAI. Coursera emphasized that boosting gender equity in tech is vital for long-term economic transformation.
GMA Network
05-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PH enrollment in generative AI courses faster vs. global average
AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters are placed on computer motherboard in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Enrollment of Filipinos in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) courses on online learning platform Coursera grew by 383% in the past year to outpace the average growth in Asia Pacific and across the globe, results of its latest Global Skills Report showed. According to the report released by the New York-listed education provider, GenAI enrollment in the Philippines outpaced the Asia Pacific average of 132%, and the global average of 195%, reflecting the country's adoption of emerging technologies. "Aligning with national goals to train 1 million AI-skilled workers by 2028, these trends are critical for enhancing competitiveness, as 86% of Filipino knowledge workers already use AI at work—well above global and regional averages," the report read. Jumps were also seen in enrollment in courses involving cybersecurity which climbed 53%, professional certificates up 23%, and critical thinking up 10%. The Philippines was ranked 60th out of 80 countries in Coursera's AI maturity Index, the platform's comparative analysis of global AI readiness which takes into account AI learning, research, and innovation. "The Philippines is laying the foundation for a digitally confident workforce. AI is a clear priority for employers and learners are stepping up by acquiring GenAI skills and industry micro-credentials to stay ahead," Coursera Asia Pacific head Eklavya Bhave said in a separate statement. "From AI strategies to forward-thinking education policies, we're seeing a strong national commitment to equipping Filipinos with the right mix of technical, business, and human skills," he added. The latest report ranked the Philippines 18th in Asia Pacific, and 88th out of 109 countries across the globe in terms of overall skills proficiency, with 2.7 million Coursera learners. The Global Skills Report took into account data from 170 million Coursera learners from March 2024 to February 2025. The ranking is based on learner proficiency across 274 skills in business, technology, and data science. "With 67% of employers highlighting skill gaps and 68% of employees requiring reskilling by 2030, formal credentials and targeted upskilling programs have become essential," the report read. "Employers plan to redeploy nearly three in 10 workers into new roles following reskilling efforts," it added. Top learners skills in the country are software development life cycle, digital content, IT infrastructure, campaign management, application lifecycle management, content marketing, process analysis, system software, social media strategy, and Google Workplace. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
