emirates7 - Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the driving force behind economic growth and industrial progress in the UAE, has introduced the AI Wave programme, a strategic initiative designed to promote AI literacy and integration throughout the organisation. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, aiming to position the country as a global AI innovation leader while enhancing government efficiency by incorporating AI into banking services.
As a federal entity, EDB is committed to advancing AI adoption through a comprehensive education and awareness campaign. The programme focuses on equipping employees across all departments with knowledge of AI technologies and best international practices, enabling them to incorporate AI into their work. By fostering AI understanding and insight from leadership to staff, EDB aims to contribute to the UAE's digital transformation, ensuring its workforce is prepared to drive innovation, improve decision-making, and optimise operations in line with national goals.
EDB CEO Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi emphasised that the bank’s role in the UAE’s economic transformation goes beyond technology adoption, highlighting the importance of embedding AI strategically to boost innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth. He noted that the AI Wave programme reinforces EDB’s commitment to setting new standards for government excellence and efficiency, with AI-driven insights enhancing decision-making and service delivery, ultimately strengthening the UAE’s economy.
The programme is designed to accelerate AI adoption across EDB's departments, focusing on partnerships that drive impactful initiatives. Abeer Al Sumaiti, Chief Human Resources Officer at EDB, noted that the AI Wave programme will build a workforce skilled in AI technologies, fostering a culture of innovation and agility throughout the organisation.
The programme launched with a knowledge session led by Irina Petrakova-Otto, Chief Technology Officer of Private Capital and AI at Microsoft, who discussed AI’s transformative role in banking. A second session by Martin Hayward, a partner at global law firm Pinsent Masons, covered practical AI implementation aspects such as data management and ethical considerations. The programme will continue with interactive workshops and training sessions to ensure EDB’s workforce remains at the cutting edge of AI advancements, driving innovation within the bank and across the UAE.
As a federal entity, EDB is committed to advancing AI adoption through a comprehensive education and awareness campaign. The programme focuses on equipping employees across all departments with knowledge of AI technologies and best international practices, enabling them to incorporate AI into their work. By fostering AI understanding and insight from leadership to staff, EDB aims to contribute to the UAE's digital transformation, ensuring its workforce is prepared to drive innovation, improve decision-making, and optimise operations in line with national goals.
EDB CEO Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi emphasised that the bank’s role in the UAE’s economic transformation goes beyond technology adoption, highlighting the importance of embedding AI strategically to boost innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth. He noted that the AI Wave programme reinforces EDB’s commitment to setting new standards for government excellence and efficiency, with AI-driven insights enhancing decision-making and service delivery, ultimately strengthening the UAE’s economy.
The programme is designed to accelerate AI adoption across EDB's departments, focusing on partnerships that drive impactful initiatives. Abeer Al Sumaiti, Chief Human Resources Officer at EDB, noted that the AI Wave programme will build a workforce skilled in AI technologies, fostering a culture of innovation and agility throughout the organisation.
The programme launched with a knowledge session led by Irina Petrakova-Otto, Chief Technology Officer of Private Capital and AI at Microsoft, who discussed AI’s transformative role in banking. A second session by Martin Hayward, a partner at global law firm Pinsent Masons, covered practical AI implementation aspects such as data management and ethical considerations. The programme will continue with interactive workshops and training sessions to ensure EDB’s workforce remains at the cutting edge of AI advancements, driving innovation within the bank and across the UAE.