Dubai:The UAE Artificial Intelligence Office, in partnership with Emirates NBD, organized the UAE Codes 2026 Build the Future with AI hackathon. This initiative aims to strengthen Emirati talent in digital technologies, equipping participants with skills to harness AI and coding for developing practical solutions in the banking sector while enhancing its readiness for rapid technological advancements.
According to Wam, Emirates NBD expanded this year's program into a two-day hackathon, allowing participants to exchange ideas, explore emerging technologies, and collaborate on real-world challenges. The event gathered 100 Emirati employees from Emirates NBD Group and other regional banks to create learning opportunities and knowledge exchange within the banking sector.
Participants worked in cross-functional teams to tackle real-world challenges using AI and coding tools. Through hands-on experimentation, they developed practical solutions and enhanced their problem-solving skills. Additionally, they engaged with industry experts, AI Programme alumni, and technology leaders, gaining insights into emerging AI applications. The hackathon concluded with teams presenting their solutions to a panel of judges.
The top solutions included Project Ready, an AI-powered platform for personalized learning and career development; Career Lab, focusing on real-world professional scenarios; and Mashoura, which assists employees in navigating challenging workplace conversations.
Dr. Abdelrahman Al Mahmoud, Director at the UAE AI Office, emphasized that UAE Codes Day reflects the UAE leadership's vision to build a society equipped with future skills, establishing coding as a key driver of a technology-powered economy. He highlighted the strategic priority of investing in Emirati talent and advancing national capabilities in coding and AI.
Eman Abdulrazzaq, Group Chief Operating Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer at Emirates NBD, stated, "AI is reshaping banking and the world, and the UAE intends to lead that transformation." She noted the importance of investing in Emirati talent to ensure UAE Nationals are at the forefront of developing and applying these technologies.
The initiative aligns with the UAE's ambition, outlined in the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, to become a leading nation in AI by 2031. In October 2021, 29th October was designated annually as UAE Codes Day by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, commemorating the launch of the region's first e-government initiative.
In November 2023, UNESCO adopted the UAE's proposal to designate 29th October as the International Day of Programming, further cementing the UAE's leadership in programming and technology.