The Middle East is decisively scaling its digital transformation initiatives, powered by extensive investments in skilling in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is prioritising AI, big data, and technological literacy, with 87 percent of the nation's employers listing these skills as their top priorities.

On the other hand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is leading substantial AI-driven projects aligned with Vision 2030, investing billions into initiatives such as Project Transcendence and Neom's AI infrastructure, according to Coursera's Global Skills Report 2025.

This report derives learnings from Coursera's 170 million learners, according to the company. This year's report reveals where skill proficiency is rising globally, where gaps remain, and what drives learner behaviour across more than 100 countries.

UAE, which ranked 38th on the Coursera Global Skill Rankings out of 109 countries, is positioning itself for a tech-driven future. On Coursera, GenAI enrollments surged 344 percent year-over-year, while Professional Certificate enrollments grew 41 percent, outpacing regional averages.

While 72 percent of organisations in the country cite skill gaps as a significant barrier, which is above the global average, the UAE's workforce development programs, such as Nafis, are exceeding private-sector employment targets.

 

Enhancing women's participation in emerging technologies, currently twenty-one percent of GenAI learners, remains essential for economic transformation, the report stated.

The report further examined how the Kingdom(54th on the Coursera Global Skill Rankings) is making significant strides toward an AI-driven transformation, aligning closely with the goals of Vision 2030. Through landmark initiatives like the $100 billion Project Transcendence, partnering with global tech leaders, including Alphabet and major infrastructure investments such as Neom's $5 billion AI data centre, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a regional powerhouse in advanced technology adoption.

While 73 percent of Saudi organisations run AI programs, 82 percent are committed to large-scale workforce upskilling, underscoring an aggressive push toward innovation.

"I'm particularly inspired by how online learning is creating a level playing field for millions of learners across emerging markets, especially in new areas like GenAI. In the past year, GenAI enrollment has more than doubled across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa," said Greg Hart, CEO, Coursera, in a blog post on the company's website.

In Coursera's global skills ranking, European nations occupied nine of the top ten ranks. Switzerland retained its position at the top of the rankings, followed by the Netherlands in second place and Sweden in third. Singapore, in fourth position, leads APAC's skills hotspot. Hong Kong (13), South Korea (14), and Japan (17) also attained top-20 positions.

In contrast, major Anglophone nations, such as the United Kingdom (22), Australia (23), and the United States (27) rank lower in the study.