Abu dhabi: The National Experts Programme (NEP) has extended an invitation to Emirati professionals in the field of artificial intelligence to become part of its new Artificial Intelligence track (NEP-AI), with the application process set to commence on 29 January 2026.

According to Emirates News Agency, NEP-AI represents a specialized segment of the programme, emphasizing the nation's strategic priorities in AI with an aim to cultivate a national cadre of AI leaders. This initiative builds upon the success of NEP since its inception in 2019. NEP-AI, inaugurated under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was announced during the graduation of NEP Cohorts 2.0 and 3.0 in October 2025. The first cohort of NEP-AI is slated to commence in May 2026.

The development of NEP-AI is aligned with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, directly contributing to the vision of establishing the UAE as a global leader in AI. Participants in this programme are chosen based on their academic, professional, and leadership credentials, alongside their capacity to translate knowledge into practical impacts across national sectors.

The programme covers 25 priority sectors within the national economy and includes six core tracks: AI Infrastructure and Hardware, AI Models and Application, AI Productisation and Entrepreneurship, Sovereign AI and National Capability, Human-AI Leadership and Foresight, and Applied AI Domains. NEP-AI is structured to translate the national AI strategy into actionable outcomes, focusing on human capital, governance, ethics, data readiness, and responsible AI deployment.

Participants will engage in initiatives and projects related to their sectors, addressing institutional and national challenges while enhancing measurable impact. Each participant will present a capstone project relevant to their organization or sector, aimed at providing scientific solutions with a sustainable impact.

Furthermore, participants benefit from a network of NEP-AI mentors and access to global expertise that enhances local capabilities. This includes collaboration with UAE-based centres of excellence and leading international institutions, as well as international study visits tailored to the participants' AI specialization tracks.