AUD launches 2 new programmes in AI, gaming

The American University in Dubai (AUD) has announced the launch of two new programmes aimed at building capacity in the UAE’s artificial intelligence (AI) and gaming sectors, to support the UAE’s ambitious plans for global leadership in the fields.

The Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development and a new concentration in AI in Business were unveiled during the 2025 Education for Employment Conference, staged under the theme “Innovate & Play: Navigating the Future of AI & Gaming.” Convening experts from academia and industry, this year’s Education for Employment Conference explored the intersection of academic innovation and emerging technologies in the context of the burgeoning digital economy. Setting the scene, university President, Dr. Kyle Long, paid tribute to the UAE’s visionary leadership in becoming the first nation to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, who is also a graduate of AUD, Omar Sultan Al Olama.

The centrepiece of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Sophie Boutros, Executive Director of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC), and featuring insights from Modhar Khan, Regional Manager of Artificial Intelligence MENA at SLB, Faisal Kazim, Director of Future Foresight at Dubai Future Foundation, and Dr Assaad Farah, Dean of the School of Business at the American University in Dubai.

The Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development, built under MBRSC, has been aligned with the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, which was launched by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister.

The programme seeks to position the city among the top 10 in the global gaming industry and generate 30,000 new jobs in the sector.

Highlighting the importance of building adaptable skills in a fast-changing tech landscape, Kazim said, “As technology evolves at a rapid pace, few skills remain truly future-proof – but game development and design come very close. These skills are incredibly versatile and adaptable, with game engines now driving innovation not only in gaming, but also across film, television, real estate, and a growing number of other industries.”

Turning the discussion to the emerging AI landscape, Khan said, “With the increasing availability of talent, a culture of innovation, resilience and vision, Dubai has set itself apart to become a testing ground for new frontiers in artificial intelligence leadership.”