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Tahawul Tech
2 hours ago
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
UAE enterprises prioritise cloud, cyber skills to unlock AI transformation, says Coursera
AI adoption is accelerating, and UAE tech leaders are turning to cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and continuous learning as the cornerstones of future-ready enterprises. Technology executives in the United Arab Emirates are making bold strides toward digital maturity, underpinned by strategic investments in cloud and cybersecurity capabilities. The Coursera From Cloud to AI 2025 survey, conducted in partnership with AWS, highlights how UAE companies are aligning skill development with transformation goals to unlock the full potential of AI. Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said: 'While automation is vital to transforming teams, workflows, and business operations, the UAE data reveal that strategic investments in human capital through upskilling and reskilling will be crucial to driving innovation. As organizations look to fully harness the potential of cloud and AI, investing equally in technology and people will be foundational to building a future-ready workforce. 'This report delivers a clear mandate for technology leaders: investing in skills development must be a cornerstone of every transformation strategy.' According to the report, which surveyed over 750 senior technology leaders across six global markets, UAE-based organisations allocate an average of 12.4% of team budgets to skills development, placing them among the top global investors in upskilling. The average annual revenue of participating UAE companies stood at $21.6 billion, signalling strong institutional capacity to lead technological change. Keeping pace with innovation has emerged as the top driver for workforce development, cited by 61% of UAE technology leaders, followed closely by the need to stay ahead of security threats (60%). This dual focus reflects a region-wide awareness that technological advancement and resilience must go hand in hand. While cloud transformation and generative AI (GenAI) are both flagged as critical business priorities over the next three years, UAE leaders are deliberately sequencing their efforts. Foundational skills—particularly in cloud architecture, data governance, and cybersecurity—are seen as prerequisites for deploying AI effectively at scale. Human talent remains central to this vision. The report notes that 88% of technology leaders globally—and in the UAE—believe AI initiatives will fail without robust investments in skills development. Practical learning, real-world simulations, and customised training environments are considered essential to bridging the AI capability gap. Rather than relying solely on new hires, UAE organisations are investing in their existing workforce. This approach supports institutional continuity while fostering innovation from within. Leaders also acknowledge the importance of aligning training with workplace challenges, ensuring employees can immediately apply new tools and frameworks. The UAE's strategic prioritisation of infrastructure, security, and human capital places it in a strong position to lead in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Enterprises that embed continuous learning into their transformation roadmaps are more likely to generate sustainable competitive advantage in an AI-driven future.
TECHx
16-07-2025
- Business
- TECHx
Coursera Expands AI Courses on AI Appreciation Day
Home » Smart Sectors » Education » Coursera Expands AI Courses on AI Appreciation Day Coursera, Inc. (NYSE: COUR), a global online learning platform, announced an expanded portfolio of AI courses to mark AI Appreciation Day. The new offerings include updated Professional Certificates, courses, and Specializations focused on Generative AI. With this launch, Coursera's GenAI catalog now features over 925 AI courses. These are designed to equip learners worldwide with essential skills in artificial intelligence. Coursera reported that the growing demand for AI skills comes amid rapid industry transformation. According to the platform, 46% of job skills are expected to change by 2030 in the MENA region, compared to 39% globally. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), more than 500,000 enrollments in GenAI courses have been recorded on Coursera in 2025. This includes over 100,000 learners each from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. On average, there is one enrollment every two minutes across the region. Since the release of ChatGPT, learners in MENA have spent close to half a million hours studying GenAI on Coursera, which equals over 53 years of learning time. However, Coursera revealed that 80% of these enrollments are at the beginner level. Millennials account for 60% of the enrollments, followed by Gen X at 21%, Gen Z at 18%, and Boomers at 1%. Coursera also noted that only 25% of GenAI course enrollments in MENA are from women. This reflects the need for inclusive learning strategies. The platform has introduced several AI-powered tools to enhance online learning. Coursera Coach, an AI tutor using large language models (LLMs), assists learners with questions, summaries, and feedback. Data from Coursera shows that learners using the tool are 9.5% more likely to pass quizzes on the first try. They also complete 11.6% more course content per hour. In MENA, 175,000 learners have used Coursera Coach, exchanging nearly 240,000 messages. To support multilingual learners, Coursera has translated more than 5,500 courses and 65 Professional Certificates into 26 languages, including Arabic and French. This effort has attracted over 120,000 learners in MENA and generated 400,000 enrollments. Learners in Saudi Arabia rank among the top three globally for engaging with translated AI content. To support learners further, Coursera announced the launch of new AI-focused certificates:• Seven Professional Certificates from partners such as AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud, IBM, and Snowflake • Two certificates from AWS AWS Generative AI Applications AWS Generative AI for Developers • Two certificates from Microsoft • Two certificates from Microsoft Microsoft AI Product Manager Microsoft 365 with Generative AI• Google Cloud Generative AI Leader• IBM RAG and Agentic AI • Snowflake Generative AI Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said the company is committed to supporting AI education in the region. He added that Coursera aims to expand access to world-class AI courses and build more inclusive, personalized learning pathways.
Channel Post MEA
16-07-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Coursera Unveils GenAI Certificates On AI Appreciation Day
Coursera is celebrating AI Appreciation Day by announcing an expanded range of AI-focused Professional Certificates, courses, and Specializations from leading industry and university partners. With this launch, Coursera's Generative AI (GenAI) catalog now includes over 925 courses designed to equip learners worldwide with essential AI skills. As automation accelerates and industries transform, the need for reskilling has never been more pressing. With 46% of on-the-job skills expected to change by 2030, compared to 39% globally, the region is seeing one of the world's most pronounced rates of skills transformation, underscoring the critical importance of equipping workers with new, in-demand capabilities. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, GenAI enrollments on Coursera have surpassed 500,000, with one enrollment every two minutes in 2025. Learners in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have each surpassed 100,000 enrollments, averaging one new enrollment every nine minutes. Since ChatGPT's launch less than three years ago, learners in MENA have spent nearly half a million learning hours on Coursera developing GenAI skills, equivalent to over 53 years of learning. While overall demand is strong, 80% of GenAI course enrollments in the region are at the beginner level, highlighting the need to build more advanced skills. Demand spans generations, with millennials leading at 60% of enrollments, followed by Gen X (21%), Gen Z (18%), and Boomers (1%). However, gender disparities remain, with women making up only 25% of GenAI enrollments in MENA, signaling a clear need for targeted initiatives to foster more inclusive participation. Coursera has also been at the forefront of integrating AI to transform learning experiences and expand access. The company's GenAI-powered tools include Coursera Coach, a personal tutor powered by LLMs, helping learners with questions, feedback, and summaries, as well as career advice. Coursera data shows that learners using Coach are 9.5% more likely to pass quizzes on the first attempt and complete 11.6% more items per learning hour. Learners in MENA have actively engaged with Coursera Coach, with 175K learners exchanging nearly 240K messages. Furthermore, to break language barriers and boost inclusivity, Coursera has leveraged AI to translate more than 5,500 courses and 65 Professional Certificates into 26 languages, including Arabic and French. This has helped engage over 120,000 learners in MENA, driving more than 400,000 enrollments in translated content, with learners in Saudi Arabia ranking among the top three globally for engagement with these courses. 'Across the Middle East and North Africa, learners are embracing GenAI education at a remarkable pace to meet the changing demands of industries and workplaces,' said Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa. 'On AI Appreciation Day, we're reaffirming our commitment to support the region's learners as they build the skills shaping the future. Through collaboration with industry leaders, we're expanding access to world-class AI learning and creating personalized, inclusive AI-powered pathways.' The new AI-focused offerings announced today on Coursera include: Seven Professional Certificates from AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud, IBM, and Snowflake Two new certificates from AWS AWS Generative AI Applications: Create AI solutions for real business problems with AWS tools, like Bedrock and Partyrock. No tech background needed. AWS Generative AI for Developers: Build, deploy, and optimize GenAI apps, agents, and knowledge bases using Amazon Bedrock. Two new certificates from Microsoft Microsoft AI Product Manager: Gain the key skills, from market research and UX to product strategy and lifecycle management. Microsoft 365 with Generative AI: Boost productivity with Copilot by generating data insights, smarter designs, and streamlined communications. Google Cloud Generative AI Leader: Go beyond the basics, and learn to transform organizations with GenAI workflows and AI agents. IBM RAG and Agentic AI: Advance your AI career by developing RAG, multimodal, and agentic apps with the latest tools, including LangChain and CrewAI. Snowflake Generative AI: Use Snowflake and Streamlit to create and fine-tune GenAI apps that unlock real-time data insights with RAG. New courses and Specializations from IBM, Vanderbilt University, and more Retrieval Augmented Generation ( Four job-specific GenAI Specializations (IBM): Generative AI for HR Professionals; Generative AI for Product Owners; Generative AI for Growth Marketing; Generative AI for Java and Spring Developers AI Agents in Java with Generative AI Specialization (Vanderbilt University) AI in Financial Services: Foundations through future trends Specialization (Saïd Business School, University of Oxford) Generative AI Strategic Leader Specialization (Vanderbilt University) Generative AI & Governmental Financial Reporting (Rutgers University)
Tahawul Tech
19-06-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
UAE sets pace in GenAI-powered upskilling and inclusive digital transformation
The UAE's 344% surge in GenAI course enrollments signals more than a trend—it marks a turning point in how nations prepare for an AI-first future. At the forefront of this shift is Coursera, whose data-driven approach to talent development is helping enterprises, governments, and individuals build future-ready capabilities at scale. In this exclusive interview, Kais Zribi, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Coursera, spoke to Sandhya D'Mello, Technology Editor, CPI Media Group, shedding light on the evolving skilling landscape, the UAE's leadership in AI maturity, and the steps being taken to bridge gender gaps in emerging tech sectors. Interview Excerpts: How do you see the UAE's remarkable 344% growth in GenAI enrollments shaping enterprise workforce strategies across the region? Are similar trends emerging in other key markets? The UAE's 344% growth in GenAI enrollments reflects a profound shift in how enterprises across the region are preparing their workforces for the future. This surge signals that AI fluency is no longer optional, it's essential for innovation, competitiveness, and long-term resilience. Employers are rethinking talent development strategies by embedding AI and GenAI skills into upskilling roadmaps and treating them as foundational capabilities. This aligns closely with digital transformation agendas, as governments invest in human capital to power AI-driven economies. Similar trends are emerging across the region. In Saudi Arabia and Qatar, GenAI enrollments have grown by 165% and 194% respectively, supported by bold national AI strategies and talent development initiatives. 'Organisations are accelerating investments in job-relevant, scalable learning to address urgent talent gaps and build agile, innovation-ready teams.' Globally, GenAI is Coursera's fastest-growing skill category. In 2025 alone, over 12 learners enroll in GenAI courses every minute, and we now offer nearly 700 courses. By delivering high-quality, localised content at scale, Coursera is helping enterprises across the UAE and the broader region upskill rapidly and stay ahead of technological disruption. What role do Coursera's enterprise partnerships play in helping businesses close skill gaps and build future-ready talent pipelines? Coursera's enterprise partnerships are helping organisations across the UAE respond to surging demand for AI, data, and tech skills. As the majority of employers prioritise these capabilities, the need for targeted, scalable upskilling has become critical. Through flexible, curated learning pathways, supported by localised content and AI-powered tools, Coursera enables public and private sector organisations to accelerate talent development and prepare their workforces for the AI era. Our Global Skills Report shows that more than 13% of the UAE's labor force is actively learning on Coursera, highlighting strong digital engagement. Globally, 94% of employers say they're more likely to hire candidates with GenAI credentials, underscoring the growing demand for skills that Coursera's enterprise solutions are designed to deliver. This aligns with what we see in the UAE, where employers increasingly value industry-aligned credentials that demonstrate job-readiness in key fields. Our partnerships extend beyond content delivery. Coursera works closely with enterprises to design upskilling programs aligned to business goals, from accelerating AI adoption to building data-literate teams. Coursera's platform enables organisations to build structured, job-relevant learning programs that support continuous upskilling, track progress at scale, and help retain talent. By equipping teams with in-demand skills, businesses can respond more effectively to disruption, remain competitive, and strengthen internal mobility. What lessons can other countries in the region learn from the UAE's approach to scaling AI learning and infrastructure? The UAE's top ranking on Coursera's AI Maturity Index highlights a holistic and forward-looking strategy that offers a blueprint for other countries in the region. The country's approach combines investments in infrastructure, education, and regulatory agility. From mandating AI education in public schools to launching initiatives like the 5GW AI Campus, the UAE is embedding AI learning across all levels, creating a steady pipeline of talent ready to lead in an AI-first world. At the same time, the UAE fosters a vibrant ecosystem, attracting global capital such as the US$100 billion MGX fund, and advancing public-private collaboration. Agile governance and progressive regulation support responsible progress and accelerate AI adoption. Other countries can draw on these lessons: align education with national strategies, mobilise investment in tech infrastructure, and establish inclusive, visionary policies that enable both access and innovation. The UAE's success illustrates how coordinated action between government, industry, and higher education institutions can drive meaningful progress. At Coursera, we believe that such multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential to delivering high-quality learning that equips citizens for the jobs of tomorrow. By prioritising human capital development alongside technological infrastructure, countries can accelerate their journey toward a competitive, inclusive digital economy. How is Coursera working with enterprises and governments to advance women's participation in AI and STEM across the region? While the UAE has made strong progress in digital transformation, Coursera's Global Skills Report highlights persistent gender gaps in emerging tech fields. While women account for 32% of Coursera learners in the UAE, only 24% of them are enrolled in STEM and 21% in GenAI courses. 'Regionally, women make up 35% of learners across MENA, but just 31% of them are in STEM and 24% in GenAI, signaling a clear need for more inclusive access.' To help address this, Coursera is working closely with public and private sector partners to expand women's participation in AI and STEM. Beyond scalable learning, we're also convening ecosystem players across the region to tackle structural barriers and surface shared solutions, including through initiatives like the Coursera Women Leadership Summit MEA, which brings together regional stakeholders, global educators like Dr. Barbara Oakley, and prominent female leaders to spotlight pathways for women in emerging tech. Building on these efforts, our research, highlighted in the Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills playbook, identifies key barriers such as time constraints and perceptions around career relevance that continue to limit women's engagement. We're responding with flexible, self-paced learning, modular content, and AI-powered coaching to support diverse learning needs. Overcoming these challenges also requires tailored messaging, clear career pathways, and equitable learning environments. That's why we're working with governments, universities, and industry partners to expand access to GenAI content and professional certificates, and to showcase how these skills translate into meaningful careers. Our interdisciplinary GenAI courses highlight real-world applications across sectors, helping shift perceptions and boost engagement among women. Industry micro-credentials offer more accessible, affordable routes to job readiness, allowing women to demonstrate their skills and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving workforce. By embedding equity into course design, showcasing diverse role models, and leveraging strategic partnerships, we aim to make tech careers more accessible and aspirational for women. Increasing women's participation in tech not only drives equity but also unlocks new perspectives and innovation, fueling a more inclusive digital future.
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.
