Out of more than 8,000 applications globally, only 115 students have secured a spot in the UAE’s pioneering undergraduate AI program, showcasing the dedication needed to lead technological advances in the region.
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has welcomed its first Bachelor of Science class this semester, boasting a selective five percent acceptance rate. Traditionally, AI has been a discipline reserved for master’s or PhD levels; however, this innovative undergraduate initiative is unique in the UAE, offering specialized AI education from the outset.
Provost Professor Baldwin stated, “The careers of the future are being shaped by AI today, and it is imperative that future generations possess the necessary skills and tools to adapt. Our exceptionally gifted students not only study AI but engage with it, through it, and for it. This represents an outstanding value across all our programs, particularly for our undergraduates pursuing a bachelor’s degree in AI, which I believe sets a new global standard in technical depth, practical application, and AI job readiness.”
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Among those admitted are Emirati twin sisters Alaa and Aya Mohamed Elsayed, whose paths to AI have been remarkably distinct. Alaa, the youngest recipient of the Nasser Bin Hamad Global Youth Creativity Award, has already developed AI-powered medical devices for neurological patients and governmental tools addressing sustainability issues.
“For me, AI is more than algorithms — it’s about people,” Alaa shared with Khaleej Times. “I feel a profound responsibility. We’re not just representing ourselves but demonstrating how Emirati youth can lead global innovation.”
Her twin sister Aya approached technology creatively. As a young journalist with numerous awards in poetry, programming, and public speaking, she views AI as a revolutionary force in storytelling.
“I was always the storyteller, while Alaa was the builder,” Aya told Khaleej Times. “AI has allowed me to blend creativity with technology. I aspire to work at the intersection of AI and media, creating tools that enable people of determination to access culture or platforms that preserve our oral storytelling heritage.”
The twins study alongside students like Russian entrepreneur Arthur Leontiev, who left his successful Moscow startup to gain technical expertise in Abu Dhabi. Having led digital transformations for restaurant chains, Arthur recognized the need for in-depth AI knowledge.
“I built a startup and gained valuable business insights. But I realized I needed deeper technical expertise,” Arthur explained to Khaleej Times. “The UAE’s vision seemed like the perfect challenge.”
He was most impressed by the classroom diversity. “I might sit next to an Emirati innovator, a student from Asia, and another from Africa. The diverse perspectives create a powerful, live laboratory of ideas.”
The program offers two tracks: AI for Engineering and AI for Business, providing students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge research, including Arabic language models.
The current cohort will begin their fall classes next week, with application details for the next period to be announced shortly.
