Sharjah Digital Department and Dell Launch AI Training for 1,000 Government Staff

The programme is the first large-scale output of a memorandum of understanding that Sharjah Digital Department signed with Dell in April 2026 to transfer technical knowledge and prepare government bodies to use AI. It is one of the main initiatives under the Sharjah Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2028, which treats staff skills as a precondition for moving government services onto more automated, data-driven systems.

The training is split into tracks for government leaders, general employees and technical specialists. According to Majid Hamad Khalfan Al Marri, director of the Sharjah Department of Human Resources, it comprises five specialised courses that combine theory with hands-on work in sectors including finance and engineering. The curriculum covers using AI to improve productivity, data analysis, decision-making and change management, as well as building generative AI applications. Practical exercises focus on the responsible use of AI, information security and checking the accuracy of AI-generated output.

Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, director-general of Sharjah Digital Department, said the aim was to give staff at different levels a practical understanding of AI so that government entities can identify where to adopt it and build applications suited to their operations and services.

"The true value of investing in AI lies in the institutions' ability to translate knowledge into practical approaches and solutions that improve operational efficiency, decision-making and service delivery," he said.

Sharjah's move follows similar workforce efforts across the UAE, where federal and emirate-level governments have made AI skills a priority for public servants. A survey published on Thursday by Oliver Wyman found that 85 per cent of UAE employees already use AI at work, but only 6 per cent of front-line staff said their employer had explained a clear AI vision.

The department has not said whether the programme will be extended beyond the initial 1,000 participants.