US-China race is on for the Gulf’s AI future

Dubai: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) has introduced a 2-year Executive MBA at its Dubai Campus to nurture senior leaders for the Gulf's AI-driven economy. Tailored for working professionals, the programme integrates world-class management education with an AI-driven curriculum. As the UAE aims to become a global AI leader by 2031 and the GCC invests heavily in AI-led economic transformation, there is an increasing demand for senior leaders capable of translating AI investments into strategic decisions, business outcomes and organizational change.

IIM Ahmedabad, ranked 23rd globally and 1st in Asia and India for Executive Education in the FT Executive Education Open Rankings 2026, offers this program to equip seasoned professionals with the strategic depth, cross-functional judgment, and AI-ready perspective required to lead at scale. The 6-term programme combines in-person weekend classes with a 7-day residential residency at IIM Ahmedabad's Ahmedabad campus and an international immersion, culminating in an Executive Capstone Project supervised by faculty.

This marks the third offering from IIM Ahmedabad's Dubai Campus, expanding its portfolio of programs aimed at building management and leadership capabilities among UAE professionals. With 41% of UAE workers' core skills set to change by 2030, the AI-integrated curriculum and case-based pedagogy prepare participants for the adaptive, strategic leadership demanded in the region.

Applications are open for candidates with a minimum of 6 years of post-graduation experience, including 3 years in a managerial or leadership role, and are required to submit scores from IIMA Admission Test, GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, or GRE.