MBZUAI opens applications for 2026 global AI leadership program

The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has opened applications for the next cohort of its Global AI Leadership Program, signaling a continued push to position AI governance and strategy as an executive-level responsibility.

The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has opened applications for the 2026 cohort of its Global AI Leadership Program, a short-format executive program focused on AI strategy, governance, and policy rather than technical implementation.

The announcement, shared on LinkedIn by MBZUAI and its executive education arm The Academy, comes as governments and large organizations continue to grapple with how artificial intelligence reshapes decision-making, regulation, and organizational leadership.

MBZUAI is a postgraduate research university based in Abu Dhabi, focused exclusively on artificial intelligence across disciplines including policy, strategy, and applied research.

Program positions AI as a leadership issue, not a technical one

According to information shared by The Academy at MBZUAI, the Global AI Leadership Program is designed for senior government officials, global executives, and C-level leaders responsible for large-scale organizational transformation.

The five-day, in-person program is scheduled to run from February 6 to February 10, 2026, and centers on how AI affects enterprise strategy, governance frameworks, risk management, and public policy. The curriculum places less emphasis on tools and models, and more on executive decision-making in AI-driven environments.

In a LinkedIn post announcing the program, The Academy framed the initiative as a response to organizations treating AI as a technical project rather than a leadership responsibility.

The 2026 cohort will examine AI-driven strategy, generative and predictive decision-making, and the role of AI in regulation and public policy. Participants are also expected to take part in site visits to organizations implementing AI at scale across sectors including energy, transportation, cybersecurity, and government services.

MBZUAI positions the program within the context of the UAE’s national AI strategy, with the university playing a growing role in executive education alongside its academic and research remit.

The Academy at MBZUAI notes that participation is selective, with limited seats available for the upcoming cohort.

ETIH Innovation Awards 2026

The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.