UAE and Lebanon Partner to Launch Major AI Training Initiative for One Million People

The UAE and Lebanon have joined forces to launch an ambitious initiative aimed at training one million citizens in artificial intelligence, marking a significant step toward deeper technological and digital cooperation between the two nations.

The announcement of the “One Million Lebanese AI Experts” program was made during a high-level meeting between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The talks took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Operated under the UAE’s Government Experience Exchange Programme in partnership with the Lebanese government, the initiative will focus on generative artificial intelligence and prompt engineering. It is designed to provide one million participants in Lebanon with practical skills to integrate AI tools into their daily work and personal lives, teaching them how to effectively guide applications to generate accurate results.

The launch coincided with an address by Mr Salam at the General Assembly, where he emphasized that the AI revolution creates unprecedented opportunities for progress across all sectors of society. At the same time, he noted the emerging challenges for the future of work, human rights, and fundamental freedoms, advocating for international governance that places human freedom and privacy at the core of technological transformation.

During his address, Mr Salam also stressed that Lebanon would reject becoming an arena for outside conflicts or a bargaining chip in broader regional disputes. He reiterated that no entity negotiates on behalf of the nation except the Lebanese state through its constitutional institutions, and while Lebanon is impacted by surrounding developments, Beirut will not permit decisions regarding its future to be made externally.

Mr Salam reaffirmed his government's dedication to extending state authority across all Lebanese territory, implementing vital reforms, and urging the international community to safeguard Lebanon's sovereignty and uphold international resolutions. Acknowledging existing criticisms regarding unfulfilled commitments, the Prime Minister pointed to weakened state institutions, struggling public administration, and an economy suffering from years of compounded crises and external interference. However, he emphasized that these obstacles would not serve as an excuse to abandon governmental responsibilities.