What ICAIRE does

ICAIRE (International Center for AI Research & Ethics) is an international non-profit organization operating under the auspices of UNESCO, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a stated mission of advancing ethical AI research and global capacity-building. Its operations are delivered through a small core team of 11–50 employees and are targeted at closing the gender gap in STEM and AI roles, in alignment with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The company's sole disclosed product is the Elevate program (marketed as 'Women Elevate'), a global online AI skilling initiative that delivers a 4-week intensive training curriculum across multiple cohorts. The learning journey comprises an orientation module on AI core concepts, an AI Essentials module covering ethical implications and global AI policy frameworks, Azure Essentials and cloud/data basics, and Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals, culminating in exam preparation for the Microsoft AI-901 certification. Selection is nomination-based, with participants receiving Microsoft-sponsored exam vouchers and an ICAIRE-endorsed completion certificate, plus access to a global alumni network. The platform is built on Microsoft Azure infrastructure and delivered via elevate.icaire.org.

ICAIRE's business model is non-commercial: pricing is not publicly disclosed, the training is offered free to participants, and the exam vouchers are underwritten by Microsoft. Operational funding is implied to come from UNESCO affiliation and partner sponsorship rather than tuition, fees, or external investment — no funding rounds, investors, or revenue figures are disclosed. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on referral and partnership channels through NGOs, universities, governments, and global institutions to nominate eligible candidates worldwide.

Name

ICAIRE

Legal name

International Center for AI Research & Ethics (ICAIRE)

Website

https://elevate.icaire.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ICAIRE is a UNESCO-affiliated international non-profit that runs the Elevate program, a global online initiative training women in AI fundamentals, ethics, and Microsoft Azure with Microsoft AI-901 certification preparation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AI Education and Workforce Skilling

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

AI & Emerging Technology Literacy (EDAAAIAJ)

Keywords

• AI education training
• Cloud computing certification
• Women in technology
• AI ethics research
• Digital skilling programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Riyadh

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

ICAIRE delivers the Elevate (Women Elevate) program, a 4-week intensive online AI skilling initiative that trains women globally in AI fundamentals, AI ethics, Microsoft Azure cloud essentials, and prepares participants for the Microsoft AI-901 certification, with ICAIRE-sponsored exam vouchers and an ICAIRE-endorsed completion certificate. The program runs in multiple cohorts, is delivered via the elevate.icaire.org platform, and is built around a five-module curriculum: Orientation, AI Essentials, Azure Essentials, Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals, and Exam Prep/Certification.

Product overview

ICAIRE operates a single flagship platform called Elevate (Women Elevate Program) - a global AI skilling initiative to train, connect, and elevate women in AI. The platform delivers a 4-week intensive training program in multiple cohorts covering AI fundamentals, ethics, and Microsoft Azure cloud computing. It provides Microsoft-backed certifications (AI-901), an ICAIRE-endorsed completion certificate, and access to a global alumni network. The program aligns with UNESCO's auspices and the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to close the gender gap in STEM roles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elevate: A global skilling initiative by ICAIRE to train, connect, and elevate women in AI—anchored in ethics, research, and impact. Features 4-week intensive training, Microsoft-backed certifications, and global alumni network.

Products and services

• Elevate (Women Elevate Program) A global, 4-week intensive online AI training program for women (aged 18+, no prior AI experience required) covering AI fundamentals, AI ethics, Microsoft Azure cloud and AI essentials, and preparation for the Microsoft AI-901 (Azure AI Fundamentals) certification. Delivered in multiple cohorts through the Elevate online platform, with instructor-led hands-on labs in the Microsoft Azure ecosystem, an ICAIRE-endorsed completion certificate, digital badges, and access to a global alumni network aimed at driving participants into the AI job market.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants gain Microsoft AI-901 certification and ICAIRE-endorsed credentials for AI job market

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICAIRE operates under the auspices of UNESCO. The organization is dedicated to advancing ethical AI through capacity-building and research, aligning with international standards and the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft provides certification support through the AI-900/AI-901 certification exams. Exam vouchers are sponsored by ICAIRE for eligible participants. Program includes Azure AI Fundamentals training and Microsoft-backed certifications.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• edX: edX is a large online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT, offering AI, computer science, and professional credentials. It is comparable to ICAIRE in delivering global AI and tech education, but as part of a much broader catalog.
• Coursera: Coursera is a large online learning platform offering AI, cloud, and data science courses from universities and tech companies. It is comparable to ICAIRE as a global AI upskilling channel, but its scope is much broader and its delivery is self-paced rather than cohort-based.
• Khan Academy: Khan Academy is a free education nonprofit that recently launched Khanmigo, an AI tutor built on GPT-4. It is comparable to ICAIRE as a global education nonprofit integrating AI literacy, though its scope spans K-12 and beyond.

Direct peers

• Black Girls CODE: Black Girls CODE is a nonprofit that introduces girls and women of color to technology and computing. Its mission to close the gender/race gap in tech closely mirrors ICAIRE's Women Elevate program for women in AI.
• Girls Who Code: Girls Who Code is a nonprofit that runs education programs to close the gender gap in technology. It is comparable to ICAIRE in mission, learner demographic, and partnership-driven program delivery.
• AI4ALL: AI4ALL is a nonprofit that increases diversity and inclusion in AI by delivering education programs to underrepresented groups. It is directly comparable to ICAIRE in targeting non-traditional AI talent through cohort-based learning and external partnerships.
• DeepLearning.AI: DeepLearning.AI is an AI-focused education company founded by Andrew Ng offering courses on AI fundamentals and applications. It is comparable to ICAIRE in teaching foundational AI skills, though it operates as a commercial entity through Coursera and its own platform.
• AnitaB.org: AnitaB.org (Anita Borg Institute) is a nonprofit advancing women in technology through programs, events, and research. It is comparable to ICAIRE's mission of advancing women into AI careers and building professional networks.
• Women in AI: Women in AI is a global nonprofit with national chapters focused on closing the gender gap in AI through education, research, and community. It overlaps with ICAIRE's mission of upskilling women in AI and building international networks.

Emerging players

• DataCamp: DataCamp is an online learning platform focused on data science, AI, and analytics skills for individuals and enterprises. It is comparable to ICAIRE's focus on AI/cloud skilling, but with a commercial, self-paced model rather than a mission-driven cohort.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/icaire_ai

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICAIRE