Cambridge to Host 10-Day AI Summer Programme for UAE and GCC Students in 2026

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

A strategic partnership between TRENDS Research and Advisory and Cambridge AI will deliver a concentrated 10-day summer programme at the University of Cambridge in July and August 2026, aimed at developing the next wave of AI talent from the UAE and Gulf states.

Targeted at outstanding high school students aged 16 to 18, the initiative is designed to strengthen technical and scientific capabilities. It will expose participants to international academic rigour and practical approaches that support the creation of technology-driven solutions with regional and global applicability.

The programme combines academic lectures and hands-on workshops led by Cambridge scholars and industry practitioners. Participants will visit AI research laboratories and start-ups to observe applied work firsthand, with a curriculum that emphasises AI ethics and responsible innovation to prepare students for complex technological decisions.

Students will conclude the course with a capstone project, presenting practical solutions developed during the programme. This applied component is intended to translate theoretical learning into tangible outcomes while encouraging analytical thinking and creativity.

By linking Gulf youth with world-class research and industry exposure, the programme aims to raise regional standards for AI education and help cultivate future leaders in technology and innovation.