Etihad Airways and Microsoft to launch region's first AI Academy

ABU DHABI: The UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, and Microsoft have teamed up to launch the first ever in-house AI Academy in the region.

As part of the AI Academy, all Etihad employees will be given access
to an online training program, and instructor led classes, to drive company wide AI literacy, empowering every employee to deliver more value to the company and its customers. Microsoft specialists will also conduct a series of AI business workshops and hands-on technical lab sessions to help identify business challenges that can be
optimised with AI.

Etihad is currently embarking on a digital transformation journey to enhance the capacity and quality of its services.

“There is a simple reason that we are long-term partners with Microsoft – we think alike,” said, Tony Douglas Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group. “Our people make us who we are. By upskilling
them to use technology powered by AI, we are future-proofing our organisation. We believe that human
interaction augmented by technology delivers an enhanced experience for our guests giving
us a competitive edge”

The airline plans to provide structured, flexible education programmes for its employees that will allow them to use AI and other smart technologies to ‘supercharge’ their productivity and innovation.

“In a world where every company is becoming a digital company, it’s great to see Etihad and its leadership set an example by investing in their people, and in embracing what we refer to at Microsoft as tech intensity,”
said Ihsan Anabtawi, Chief Operating and Marketing Officer, Microsoft Gulf. “