Samsung Innovation Campus opens doors to 250 young Emiratis for advanced AI and machine learning training

On UAE Codes Day, Samsung Gulf Electronics and the UAE's Artificial Intelligence Office welcome the next cohort of national talent to an intensive programme spanning artificial intelligence, machine learning and the emerging field of generative AI

The inaugural gathering of Samsung Innovation Campus 2026 marks a significant moment for a new generation of Emirati learners. Two hundred and fifty carefully selected UAE Nationals, aged between 18 and 29, have begun an immersive journey into the technical foundations and practical applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning.

The programme, held in partnership with the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Office, arrives at a moment of particular significance: 29 October, designated as UAE Codes Day since 2021. This annual observance commemorates the launch of the region’s first e-government initiative in 2001, a pioneering achievement that set the UAE on its path toward becoming a technology-driven nation. The timing reflects a broader commitment to making coding and artificial intelligence essential capabilities for the workforce of tomorrow.

The curriculum unfolds across interconnected domains of knowledge. Students progress through Python programming and its essential libraries, probability and statistics, and the increasingly crucial fields of machine learning and deep learning. What distinguishes the 2026 cohort is the introduction of a dedicated generative AI course, acknowledging the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its expanding influence across industries. This addition ensures participants develop skills aligned with the technology’s growing practical applications.

Shafi Alam, Senior Director and Head of the Direct to Consumer and Corporate Marketing Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, speaks to the philosophy underpinning the initiative: developing not merely theoretical knowledge but the technical competencies that young Emiratis will apply as artificial intelligence becomes woven through different sectors of the economy. The programme sits within Samsung’s broader global commitment to building AI literacy among young people, a responsibility the company shares with its government partners in advancing national talent development.

The partnership between Samsung and the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office reflects a larger ecosystem of investment in Emirati capability. The initiative was announced in October following registration for the 2026 cohort, drawing from a competitive pool of applicants. This year’s programme builds on foundations established in previous editions, each designed to equip national talent with expertise in technologies shaping global economic transformation.

The recognition of 29 October extends beyond the UAE’s borders. In November 2023, UNESCO adopted the proposal to designate this date as the International Day of Programming, acknowledging the Emirates’ leadership in technology and innovation and its emergence as a destination for creative minds from across the world.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

For Abu Dhabi and the wider emirate, the Samsung Innovation Campus represents a direct investment in homegrown capability at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping sectors from energy and healthcare to government administration and creative industries. The programme’s focus on developing Emirati nationals aged 18 to 29 addresses a critical demographic: young people entering the workforce precisely when AI literacy has become essential across most professional domains. By equipping them with practical skills in machine learning and generative AI, the initiative strengthens the emirate’s capacity to build its own talent pipeline rather than rely solely on external expertise.

The Abu Dhabi leadership’s commitment to such programmes aligns with the emirate’s broader vision to advance as a centre of AI innovation and governance, including aspirations to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027. Initiatives like the Samsung Innovation Campus contribute directly to that ambition by creating a local foundation of skilled professionals who understand both the technical dimensions of artificial intelligence and its practical applications within Abu Dhabi’s evolving economy.