Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi announced a new master’s programme in Management of Innovation and Artificial Intelligence on 1 October. Awarded by Sorbonne Université and developed with the Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the course combines management and technology subjects. The first cohort began in September 2026, and the university presents the programme as part of its AI and innovation focus and the UAE’s wider digital-economy ambitions.

The interdisciplinary curriculum includes artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, governance, ethics and innovation. It is taught in English over two years, with evening classes designed for working professionals. Selected courses may use a blended format comprising 70 percent on-campus instruction and 30 percent online learning. The programme carries 120 ECTS credits over four semesters and includes industry projects, real-world case studies, a professional internship and a research-based master’s thesis.

The programme is positioned to prepare graduates for roles in technology, consulting, government, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, research and entrepreneurship. The university says students will learn to lead AI strategy, digital transformation and responsible adoption. This combination responds to an organisational need: AI systems affect workflows, data management and decision rights, so managers require both technical understanding and the ability to evaluate governance, ethics and business value.

The university says internationally recognised faculty from Paris and Abu Dhabi will teach the course, with input from research and industry practice. Small class sizes, personalised academic support and industry engagement are listed as programme features. It is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation and the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. The announcement does not state tuition, intake size, admission thresholds, graduate placement rates or employer commitments.

For employers, a specialised master’s can create a route to develop staff who can connect technical teams with operational and regulatory decision-makers. Industry projects and internships may provide applied experience, but their quality depends on the participating organisations and the problems selected. A curriculum is not evidence that graduates will secure particular jobs or that AI adoption will produce productivity gains; those outcomes need to be evaluated after students complete the programme.

The programme’s economic relevance lies in building management capacity around AI, not merely training model developers. Organisations need people who can choose use cases, assess data readiness, set controls and integrate systems into services and products. The 120-credit structure and bilingual institutional partnerships provide a defined academic offer, while outcomes such as employment, business formation or efficiency improvements remain unreported. The announcement establishes the programme’s scope, delivery model and accreditation, with labour-market effects to follow.