Crescent Petroleum, the Middle East’s oldest and largest private oil and gas company, has joined forces with Edraak, the Arab world’s leading non-profit online education platform, to launch a groundbreaking AI training program. This initiative, titled ‘AI for Employment,’ aims to equip young people across the Arab world with essential AI skills to enhance their workplace capabilities and career prospects. The program builds on the success of the Career Compass Pathway, a joint venture launched in 2024 that has already trained 1.3 million young individuals in business skills, IT, and English language proficiency. Edraak, an initiative of the Queen Rania Foundation in Jordan, is renowned for its accessible, high-quality Arabic-language online courses. The new AI specialisation will offer four online courses, providing practical skills and hands-on experience in applying AI across various industries. Participants will learn to leverage AI productivity tools, craft effective AI prompts, and apply AI in real-world job functions. The courses, delivered in Arabic by expert practitioners, will culminate in a certificate, signalling participants’ readiness to innovate in a rapidly evolving job market. Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum, emphasised the transformative role of AI in the future of work, stating that the program will prepare young people to compete and thrive. Bassem Saad, CEO of the Queen Rania Foundation and Chairman of Edraak, highlighted the importance of AI as a core competency for career success and Edraak’s mission to meet market needs through accessible education. With youth unemployment in the MENA region exceeding 25%—the highest globally—and 78 million jobs expected to evolve by 2030, initiatives like AI for Employment are critical for equipping young Arabic speakers with future-ready skills. The program reinforces the Career Compass Pathway, which continues to offer modules in digital literacy, business communication, CV writing, and interview skills. Edraak’s broader initiatives, including AI for Employment and Career Compass, are pivotal in driving inclusive growth and opportunity across the Arab world.