UAE, Google Offer Free Gemini Pro Access to Students

In a significant move to bolster technological education, the United Arab Emirates government has partnered with Google to grant university students complimentary access to the advanced Gemini Pro artificial intelligence platform. This one-year subscription initiative directly supports the UAE’s National AI Strategy, aiming to cultivate a skilled talent pool by integrating cutting-edge AI tools into the academic experience. Students can utilize these resources to enhance learning, accelerate research, and streamline content creation.

This collaboration reflects the nation’s broader commitment, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to empower citizens through technology. The focus is on developing national capabilities, improving efficiency, and accelerating innovation across all sectors. His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, reinforced the nation’s ambition to achieve global AI leadership by leveraging technology to foster creativity and sustainable progress.

The timing of this program is particularly relevant given a notable surge in local interest regarding artificial intelligence. Anthony Nakache, Google’s Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa, pointed to Google Trends data showing a 110 percent increase in searches related to AI and education over the past two months. He stressed the importance of providing equitable access to powerful AI models, ensuring students have the necessary tools to boost their research and academic performance.

The Gemini Pro plan, specifically the Google Gemini 2.5 Pro model, is engineered to handle complex academic tasks. It assists with research analysis, brainstorming ideas, and generating various forms of content. A key feature, Deep Research, helps students compile initial research reports by synthesizing information from hundreds of online sources, saving valuable time and effort.

To support diverse learning styles, the platform includes several multimedia tools. NotebookLM acts as an AI-powered thinking companion, organizing notes and providing summaries with enhanced audio and video content. Another innovative tool, Veo 3, allows students to convert text or images into short, eight-second videos complete with sound. Students also receive a substantial 2 terabytes of cloud storage distributed across Google Photos, Drive, Gmail, and Docs, providing ample space for all their academic materials, projects, and notes.

Eligible university students in the UAE who are 18 years or older can register for this free 12-month subscription using a personal email address before the deadline of December 9, 2025. The program encourages the integration of generative AI into daily study habits, from producing text and visuals to summarizing research and managing tasks more efficiently.

This partnership is a concrete step toward realizing the objectives of the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which seeks to establish the country as a world leader in AI. By investing in its people, the UAE is building a robust foundation for its digital economy and long-term sustainable development.

The capabilities of tools like Gemini 2.5 Pro extend far beyond simple question-and-answer functions. Students can use them for personalized homework assistance, exam preparation, and improving their writing. The AI can break down complex problems into manageable steps, transform class notes into interactive quizzes and study guides, and even generate audio overviews for learning during commutes. These features make studying a more dynamic, efficient, and customized experience.

This educational initiative is part of Google’s wider effort to provide AI access to students across the region, with similar programs launched in Egypt and Saudi Arabia and expansions into Iraq and Jordan. The underlying goal is to equip the next generation with foundational AI skills, preparing them for the evolving demands of the future workforce and enhancing both creativity and productivity.

Beyond the classroom, this collaboration supports the UAE’s comprehensive vision to embed AI across vital national sectors such as energy, healthcare, and public services. A prime example is the partnership between the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Google Cloud to integrate generative AI into its operations, illustrating the country’s determined push toward digital transformation and innovation-led growth.

(Source: Economy Middle East)