Abu dhabi: Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced the successful launch of the inaugural Winter School on Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, with 270 participants attending the event.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Winter School, organized with support from Google.org, the UAE Cyber Security Council, and CyberE71, represents a significant extension of one of the region’s most comprehensive Cybersecurity Seminars Program. The event saw 100 participants attending in-person and 170 joining online from across the UAE. Certificates endorsed by Khalifa University and the UAE Cyber Security Council were awarded, indicating a high level of readiness to address cyber threats and design secure AI systems. Attendees included high school and university students, PhD candidates, academic staff, cybersecurity professionals, and representatives from both public and private sectors.
The Winter School’s multidisciplinary program offered a blend of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and policy perspectives, aiming to provide a comprehensive learning experience. Key areas of focus included AI and cybersecurity, technology and geopolitics, Graph Neural Networks for hardware security, human factors in AI and cybersecurity, AI awareness and cyber insecurity, quantum computing in the AI era, cybersecurity policy, governance and compliance (with a focus on the UAE), AI and national security, cyber threat intelligence and incident response, digital forensics in the AI age, and a hands-on Capture-the-Flag cybersecurity simulation.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, was recognized for his support of the program, while CyberE71 was acknowledged as the leading Local Community Organization of the Khalifa University Programme. The opening session, led by Dr. Luigi Martino, included a panel discussion with representatives from key partners, such as Fatima Alneyadi, Cyber E71 Programme Director, Samer Abdullatif, Regional Executive of MEA Public Sector in Google Cloud, and YuYing Mak, Project Officer, Virtual Routes.
Dr. Wieland Holfelder, Vice President Engineering, Regional CTO for Google Cloud Security and Sovereignty, highlighted the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals in light of new technologies like AI, which present both opportunities and challenges. He expressed pride in supporting universities across EMEA to help build a strong, diverse, and AI-savvy cybersecurity workforce.
Prof. Bayan Sharif, Provost, Khalifa University, emphasized that the Winter School, organized with Google.org’s support, reflects the university’s commitment to building human capital in cybersecurity and AI. By partnering with the UAE Cyber Security Council and CyberE71, the initiative aims to equip the region with a multidisciplinary talent pool to tackle digital security challenges. This aligns with the UAE’s vision to become a global hub for advanced technology and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti underscored that this initiative extends national efforts to nurture talent and develop innovative digital solutions for evolving cyberspace challenges. He noted the Winter School’s role in promoting cybersecurity awareness and showcasing advanced AI and quantum computing technologies to enhance cyber resilience and foster innovation.
Dr. Al Kuwaiti further stressed the importance of these efforts in empowering youth and cultivating future experts and leaders in cybersecurity and digital security. He highlighted innovation as a cornerstone of the UAE’s National Cybersecurity Strategy and a key driver of the national cybersecurity ecosystem. “CyberE71” continues to support and incubate innovative ideas in the cybersecurity domain, aiming to empower students and graduates with knowledge and skills to become successful entrepreneurs in cybersecurity.