News

UAE Lets Talented Coders Apply For 100,000 Golden Visas

If the initiative turns out to be successful, other forward-thinking countries could decide to attract talent using similar methods.

Published

4 years ago

July 17, 2021

Joanna Melki

uae lets talented coders apply for 100,000 golden visas

Unsplash

The UAE would like to become the region’s dominant tech hub, and that’s possible only if the country itself is home to successful tech businesses contributing to its digital economy. To achieve its goal, the country has just launched an ambitious initiative that lets talented coders from around the world apply for 100,000 golden visas.

Called the National Programme for Coders, the new initiative was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in cooperation with Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco, IBM, HPE, LinkedIn, Nvidia, and Facebook.

“The goal is to train and attract 100,000 programmers and create 1,000 major digital companies within five years,” said Sheikh Mohammed. “The National Programme for Programmers is a new step to build our digital economy,” he added.

To be eligible, applicants must be:

Distinguished experts and talents who achieved success in various areas of coding.
Those who work for pioneering international technological firms.
Graduates of software engineering, computer sciences, hardware engineering, information technology, artificial intelligence, data science, big data, and electrical engineering.

The National Programme for Coders is available to both residents and non-residents of the UAE. All coders who meet the above-listed criteria can apply through The Office of Artificial Intelligence in the UAE government or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

Also Read: Amazon Web Services Announces Plans To Open Data Center In UAE

It will certainly be interesting to see how many talented coders will be attracted by the opportunity to get one of thousands of UAE golden visas considering that we’re in the middle of not only a major global tech talent shortage, but also a pandemic.

If the initiative turns out to be successful, then other forward-thinking countries could decide to attract talent using similar methods, knowing that digital transformation is essential for shaping the future we seek for the next generations.

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

13 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.