The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the UNDP AI Hub for Sustainable Development, in partnership with Google and Apolitical, are offering a free, world-class artificial intelligence training opportunity designed specifically for government officials and public servants.

The initiative aims to strengthen AI capabilities within the public sector, helping government professionals understand artificial intelligence, identify practical applications, manage risks, and support responsible AI adoption in government institutions.

As governments across Africa and around the world increasingly explore artificial intelligence for public service delivery, policymaking, procurement, healthcare, climate action and organisational transformation, the programme provides public servants with practical knowledge they can use in their daily work.

Applications are currently open, with a deadline of 30 September 2026.

About the Government AI Training Initiative

The initiative is being delivered through the Apolitical Government AI Campus, a global learning platform focused on building AI capabilities within government.

The African Development Bank is a founding member of the AI Hub’s Executive Steering Group, while the UNDP AI Hub for Sustainable Development is partnering with Google and Apolitical to deliver public-sector AI capability building.

The broader Government AI Campus seeks to prepare 1 million public servants to lead effectively in the age of artificial intelligence.

The Campus is supported by Google.org and the Rockefeller Foundation and is designed to be technology-agnostic. This means that the training is not focused on promoting a single AI technology or platform. Instead, it helps government leaders and practitioners understand AI, use it responsibly and explore how it can contribute to better public-sector outcomes.

The programme is particularly relevant as governments seek to close AI capability gaps and strengthen cooperation between the public sector, private-sector partners and innovation ecosystems.

Why This AI Training Matters for Public Servants

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being explored across government operations, including public administration, procurement, healthcare, climate policy, service delivery and strategic decision-making.

However, effective AI adoption requires more than access to technology. Public servants also need to understand:

• What artificial intelligence can and cannot do
• How AI systems work
• How to identify appropriate government use cases
• The ethical and legal implications of AI
• Privacy and fairness considerations
• How to evaluate AI-generated information
• How to use generative AI responsibly
• How AI can improve public-service delivery
• How organisations can develop AI-ready workforces
• How governments can manage the risks associated with AI adoption

The Government AI Campus seeks to address these capability gaps through accessible, practical and self-paced training.

According to the programme information, 84% of Campus users say the training made them more effective at their jobs, while 87% say the training was relevant to their daily work.

What Is Offered?

Selected applicants will receive access to a curated set of courses from the Apolitical Government AI Campus.

The training is designed to accommodate busy government professionals. Rather than requiring participants to attend scheduled lectures or live sessions, the courses can be completed online at the participant’s own pace.

Flexible and Self-Paced Learning

The courses are:

• Fully online
• Self-paced
• Accessible from any device
• Designed without mandatory live sessions
• Not tied to a fixed class schedule
• Suitable for professionals balancing work and learning

Most courses take approximately two to three hours to complete.

Participants can start a course, pause their learning and return later. Their progress is automatically saved, allowing them to fit the training around their professional responsibilities.

Core Courses Available Through the Programme

The initiative features seven core courses covering different aspects of artificial intelligence and its application in government.

Course 1: Understand How AI Impacts You and Your Government

This introductory course is designed to help public servants develop a basic understanding of artificial intelligence without requiring prior technical knowledge.

Participants will explore what AI is, what it can do, what its limitations are and why these issues matter for government.

By completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Define artificial intelligence and explain its capabilities and limitations.
• Recognise the major benefits and risks associated with AI in the public sector.
• Identify ways AI can be harnessed for the public good.
• Explore how AI can contribute to improved public-service delivery.
• Discuss how public servants can use AI tools responsibly.

This course can therefore serve as an entry point for public servants who are new to artificial intelligence.

Course 2: AI Fundamentals for Public Servants — Opportunities, Risks and Strategies

The second course provides a deeper examination of artificial intelligence.

Powered by content from Stanford Online, the course explores how AI works, what its capabilities and limitations are, and how governments can approach AI adoption in a human-centred manner.

The course also addresses issues surrounding trust, fairness, privacy, ethics and regulation.

Participants will learn how to:

• Explain the technology behind artificial intelligence.
• Analyse trust, fairness, privacy and ethical risks associated with AI.
• Investigate the potential impacts of AI use cases through a human-centred approach.
• Distinguish ways AI can enhance government work.
• Apply lessons from AI experiments across different sectors.
• Consider regulatory frameworks relevant to AI.
• Explore strategies for responsible AI adoption within government.

This course is particularly relevant for public servants who are expected to participate in discussions or decisions concerning AI adoption.

Course 3: Effective Prompt Engineering for Public Servants

Generative AI tools can produce significantly different results depending on how instructions are written.

This practical course introduces public servants to prompt engineering, helping them communicate more effectively with generative AI systems.

Participants learn how to formulate prompts, assess AI-generated responses and improve their instructions to achieve more useful results.

The course enables participants to:

• Understand what prompt engineering means.
• Explain why effective prompting is relevant to government work.
• Construct effective prompts for interacting with AI.
• Critically evaluate AI-generated responses.
• Refine prompts iteratively to improve AI outputs.
• Apply generative AI more effectively to everyday professional tasks.

For public servants already experimenting with generative AI, these skills can be particularly relevant to improving productivity and the quality of AI-assisted work.

Course 4: AI Leadership in Government — Building Trust, Skills and an Innovative Culture

This course is specifically tailored toward senior officials and leaders responsible for managing teams and shaping organisational culture.

AI adoption is not solely a technology issue. Government institutions also need employees who understand how to use AI and feel confident and safe experimenting with new technologies.

The course therefore focuses on the human and organisational foundations necessary for responsible AI adoption.

Participants will learn how to:

• Describe the strategic value of AI for government operations.
• Understand the importance of an AI-ready workforce.
• Identify approaches for building a workforce that is informed and confident about AI.
• Develop a workplace culture that encourages innovation and responsible experimentation.
• Apply strategies for supporting AI adoption within organisations.
• Create a personalised plan for developing an AI-ready workforce.

The course can be particularly relevant to managers, directors, team leaders and senior public officials involved in organisational transformation.

Course 5: Smarter Procurement with AI

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform different stages of the public procurement process.

This course examines where AI can potentially improve efficiency and impact within procurement while also addressing the risks associated with using AI in this area.

Participants are introduced to practical frameworks for considering AI applications within procurement.

The course covers:

• Fundamentals of AI and its application in procurement.
• Ways AI can address procurement challenges.
• Opportunities for optimising procurement processes.
• Ethical considerations surrounding AI in procurement.
• Legal risks associated with AI adoption.
• Real-world case studies and best practices.
• Initial steps for integrating AI into procurement environments.

This course is particularly relevant to public officials working in procurement, contracting, supply-chain management and related administrative functions.

Course 6: AI and the Future of Healthcare Systems

The sixth course focuses on artificial intelligence within healthcare.

Developed with SDA Bocconi School of Management, the course is designed for healthcare practitioners, regulators and policymakers who need to understand the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in healthcare systems.

Participants will explore:

• The fundamentals of AI.
• Key characteristics and applications of AI in healthcare.
• Opportunities for using AI in healthcare systems.
• Challenges associated with AI-enabled healthcare.
• Ethical and regulatory considerations.
• Methods for assessing AI solutions.
• Responsible implementation of AI healthcare systems.
• Healthcare system AI readiness.
• Realistic timelines for AI integration.

The course can therefore provide useful knowledge for professionals involved in healthcare policy, regulation, administration and technology adoption.

Course 7: AI and Climate — Trade-offs and Transformation

The seventh course examines the relationship between artificial intelligence and climate change.

Powered by content from Stanford Online, the course explores how AI can support climate solutions while also examining the environmental costs associated with AI systems.

Participants will consider how AI can contribute to areas such as resilient urban planning and the energy transition.

Participants will learn how to:

• Explain why AI and climate change are increasingly interconnected.
• Understand how AI can contribute to climate and energy initiatives.
• Identify ways governments can support AI-enabled climate solutions.
• Recognise concerns surrounding the environmental impact of AI.
• Explore how public servants can contribute to addressing AI’s environmental footprint.
• Understand the role governments can play in supporting greener AI development and adoption.

This course is particularly relevant to public officials involved in climate policy, environmental planning, energy, sustainability and related areas.

Who Can Apply?

The initiative is open to current government officials and public servants who are working on issues connected to the implementation and adoption of AI in their countries.

The opportunity is intended for public-sector professionals working across areas including:

• Public services
• Government administration
• AI implementation
• Digital transformation
• Public-sector innovation
• Public-private partnerships
• Technology policy
• Procurement
• Healthcare
• Climate and energy
• Organisational leadership
• Government strategy

Applicants should be current government officials or public servants whose work relates to AI implementation, public services, partnerships or innovation.

The information provided does not state a specific academic degree requirement, age requirement, gender restriction or professional qualification requirement. It also does not specify a particular nationality restriction within the eligible public-service audience.

Eligibility, Qualifications and Geographic Scope

Eligible Category of People

Current government officials and public servants working on the implementation, adoption or responsible use of AI in their countries.

Academic Qualifications

No specific academic qualification is stated in the provided programme information.

Professional Qualification

Applicants should be current government officials or public servants. The initiative is particularly relevant to people involved in:

• Public-sector AI
• Government innovation
• Public services
• Public-private partnerships
• Digital transformation
• Policy and regulation
• AI-related implementation

Countries and Continent

The initiative is associated with the UNDP AI Hub for Sustainable Development and African AI development, and the wider programme is aligned with sustainable AI-driven growth in Africa.

The information provided does not give a closed list of eligible African countries or state that applicants must hold a particular nationality. Therefore, applicants should consult the official application form for any country-specific eligibility requirements before applying.

Key Benefits of the Programme

The programme provides several potential benefits for eligible public-sector professionals.

1. Free AI Training

The training is designed to provide selected applicants with access to courses from the Government AI Campus without the normal cost associated with professional learning programmes.

2. Practical Government-Focused AI Knowledge

Rather than focusing solely on technical programming, the courses examine how AI can be understood and applied in real government environments.

3. Flexible Online Learning

Participants can complete the courses remotely and at their own pace.

4. No Fixed Live Class Schedule

Participants do not need to attend live sessions according to a fixed timetable.

5. Training Across Multiple AI Applications

The curriculum covers AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, leadership, procurement, healthcare and climate action.

6. Responsible AI Adoption

The programme places emphasis on issues such as privacy, fairness, trust, ethics, regulation and responsible use.

7. Public-Sector Leadership Development

The leadership course provides senior officials with strategies for creating organisations that are better prepared for AI adoption.

8. Improved Workplace Productivity

The programme reports that 84% of Campus users say the training made them more effective at their jobs, while 87% report that the training was relevant to their daily work.

Why Public Servants May Find the Programme Relevant

The growing adoption of AI means that public servants increasingly need to understand both the opportunities and limitations of AI systems.

A government employee does not necessarily need to become a software engineer to benefit from AI knowledge.

For example, an administrative professional may use AI to support document preparation and information organisation. A procurement officer may need to understand how AI could affect procurement processes. A policymaker may need to evaluate AI-related proposals. A manager may need to lead employees through organisational changes associated with AI adoption.

Similarly, healthcare and climate professionals may need to understand how AI can be responsibly integrated into their respective sectors.

The broad curriculum allows participants to focus on areas that are most relevant to their responsibilities.

Programme Learning Format

The Government AI Campus is designed around accessibility and flexibility.

Participants can:

1. Access the training online.
2. Complete courses at their own pace.
3. Use different devices to access the learning materials.
4. Pause their studies when necessary.
5. Return later and continue from where they stopped.
6. Complete most individual courses within approximately two to three hours.

This format makes the programme particularly suitable for working professionals who may not be able to commit to traditional classroom-based training.

Deadline for Applications

The deadline to apply for the African Development Bank and UNDP AI Hub Government AI Training initiative is:

30 September 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete the official application form provided for the initiative.

Before applying, candidates should ensure that they meet the programme’s eligibility requirements and provide accurate information about their current government or public-service role.

Application Link and Official Website

APPLICATION FORM:
https://airtable.com/appbhi5ptYm0F6Gxx/paggZpgdfbdtZaJR5/form

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
https://aihubfordevelopment.org/

For more training programs visit the OFY Website HERE

DEADLINE:
30 September 2026

About the AI Hub for Sustainable Development

The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is involved in initiatives designed to accelerate sustainable AI-driven development, particularly across Africa.

The programme information describes the initiative as a G7-endorsed, MIMIT-UNDP co-led effort aligned with the Italy-Africa Mattei Plan.

The AI Hub’s broader programmes include initiatives focused on areas such as:

• AI infrastructure
• Compute readiness
• Voice AI
• Cybersecurity
• Sustainable AI development

These programmes form part of broader efforts to strengthen AI infrastructure, skills and innovation ecosystems.

Other AI Hub Programmes

The AI Hub for Sustainable Development also lists several related programmes, including:

AI Infrastructure Builder

An initiative focused on developing AI infrastructure capabilities.

Compute Accelerator Programme — Compute Ready

A programme addressing compute-related readiness and AI infrastructure requirements.

Voice AI Pathways

An initiative focused on expanding voice AI applications to underserved communities.

Cyber4Africa

A programme focused on cybersecurity and related digital capabilities across Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a scholarship?

No. The opportunity is a free professional training programme, rather than a traditional academic scholarship.

Is the training online?

Yes. The courses are fully online and self-paced.

Do participants need to attend live classes?

No. The programme information states that participants do not need to attend live sessions or follow a fixed schedule.

How long do the courses take?

Most individual courses take approximately two to three hours to complete.

Do applicants need previous AI experience?

Not necessarily. The first course is specifically designed to explain AI in plain language and does not require prior technical knowledge.

Can senior government officials participate?

Yes. One of the courses is specifically designed for senior officials who manage teams and influence organisational culture.

Is there a course specifically about procurement?

Yes. Course 5, Smarter Procurement with AI, focuses on AI applications, risks and opportunities within procurement.

Is healthcare covered?

Yes. Course 6, AI and the Future of Healthcare Systems, focuses on AI applications and responsible implementation in healthcare.

Is climate change covered?

Yes. Course 7, AI and Climate: Trade-offs and Transformation, examines both the potential benefits of AI for climate action and its environmental costs.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is 30 September 2026.

Conclusion

The African Development Bank, UNDP AI Hub for Sustainable Development, Google and Apolitical’s Government AI training initiative provides public servants with an opportunity to develop practical knowledge about artificial intelligence and its application in government.

Through the Apolitical Government AI Campus, selected participants can access a range of self-paced courses covering AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, government leadership, procurement, healthcare and climate action.

The programme goes beyond simply explaining AI technology. It also addresses responsible AI adoption, including issues such as privacy, fairness, trust, ethics, regulation and organisational readiness.

For current government officials and public servants whose work intersects with AI implementation, public services, innovation or public-private partnerships, the training provides a structured way to build relevant AI knowledge while continuing with their professional responsibilities.

The application deadline is 30 September 2026.

Applicants should review the official application requirements and submit their applications through the designated application form before the deadline.