The Emirates News Agency reported that the National Experts Programme – AI Track has been designated Knowledge Partner for the Quantum Innovation Summit, an upcoming event in Dubai that will examine the intersection of quantum computing and AI applications. This role will enable the programme’s cohort to share insights on national AI priorities during the three-day gathering focused on technological leadership. The partnership reflects ongoing UAE efforts to align human capital development with advancements in frontier technologies that promise to transform key economic sectors.
According to the National Experts Programme official platform, the AI track includes 32 Emirati experts selected from more than 1,000 applicants representing 25 sub-sectors ranging from agentic AI and generative AI to data sovereignty and cybersecurity. These participants, who possess advanced qualifications including multiple PhDs and master’s degrees, will dedicate seven months to capstone projects tied directly to national strategic goals. An ITP.net assessment of the initiative found that the track emphasises practical implementation and leadership over theoretical training to support responsible AI deployment at scale.
The National Experts Programme, established in 2019 under the direction of the UAE President, launched its AI track in June 2026 to advance the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, a WAM dispatch from that period stated. The curriculum spans modules on AI infrastructure, value creation, venture development and transformation leadership, incorporating international study visits and mentorship alongside in-person commitments of one week per month. This structure aims to equip mid-to-senior level professionals from public, state-owned and private entities to embed AI across government services and priority industries.
Organisers of the Quantum Innovation Summit, via the event website, outlined that the 2026 edition running from September 28 to 30 will address how quantum technologies merge with AI, advanced materials, next-generation computing and secure communications to drive innovation in finance, healthcare, aerospace and telecommunications. Building on prior summits that produced alliances such as quantum-secure maritime communications and academic collaborations with institutions like New York University Abu Dhabi, the gathering will feature high-level forums on governance, infrastructure and real-world applications. The UAE’s positioning as host underscores its investments in establishing the country as a global hub for such emerging fields.
Designation of the National Experts Programme – AI Track as Knowledge Partner will facilitate direct contributions from its fellows to summit dialogues on hybrid quantum-classical models and AI-assisted discovery, according to details shared in the partnership announcement. Industry analyses, including those from TahawulTech.com, indicate that integrating these experts will help translate research into operational capabilities aligned with UAE objectives for technological competitiveness. Such cross-pollination is viewed as essential for addressing bottlenecks in areas like quantum sensing, communications and ethical governance of converging systems.
A review of UAE AI Strategy 2031 priorities by programme administrators highlights targets to strengthen the nation’s global standing, accelerate sectoral adoption and develop sovereign capabilities in data and infrastructure. The Quantum Innovation Summit’s emphasis on practical pathways complements these aims by connecting policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to foster collaborations that extend beyond the event itself. This latest tie-up adds to a series of initiatives that have seen the National Experts Programme grow to encompass more than 100 fellows across multiple cohorts since its inception.
