Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed has issued a resolution to reconstitute the Board of Trustees of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). The board is chaired by His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, with other members including Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Saif Saeed Ghobash, and Professor Daniela Rus. MBZUAI is recognized as a leading global institution in AI, focusing on research and innovation across sectors like healthcare and sustainability. Why it matters: The restructuring reinforces the UAE's commitment to AI leadership and MBZUAI's role in driving innovation and supporting the nation's AI strategy.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan chaired the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) board meeting in Masdar City. He reviewed ATRC’s first-year progress in R&D and endorsed plans to expand funding for R&D projects in Abu Dhabi. He also toured the Technology Innovation Institute (TII)’s labs and met with students of the NexTech programme. Why it matters: The UAE continues to invest heavily in building out its domestic R&D capabilities and STEM talent pipeline.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE are leading initiatives under the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) to transition the UAE to a knowledge-based economy as part of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. TII focuses on applied research and has established 70 international partnerships with universities and research centers, including developing components of a quantum computer. ASPIRE aims to connect TII’s R&D with practical solutions to global problems, and seeks collaborations, including with Israel, to address food security, water availability, and climate change. Why it matters: These efforts signify the UAE's commitment to advanced technology R&D and international collaboration, aiming to diversify its economy and address critical global challenges.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended MBZUAI's 2025 commencement ceremony for 104 graduates across Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing. He congratulated the students and emphasized the UAE's commitment to becoming a global AI hub. The ceremony was attended by several high-profile UAE officials and MBZUAI leadership. Why it matters: This event highlights the UAE's continued investment in AI education and its strategic focus on developing local talent in key AI specializations.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended MBZUAI's 2024 commencement ceremony for 101 graduates. The graduates included PhDs in ML and master's degrees in CV, ML, and NLP. Sheikh Khaled reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to becoming a global AI research and innovation hub, aligned with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. Why it matters: This graduation highlights the UAE's investment in AI education and its ambition to become a leader in AI research and development, training national talent to address global challenges.
The late UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Law No. 14 for 2020, establishing the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) as an independent legal entity affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. ATRC's mandate includes proposing R&D policies, setting priorities in advanced technology fields like AI, robotics, and space, and overseeing R&D activities in Abu Dhabi. ATRC will manage R&D programs, review grant requests, invest in companies, and foster partnerships to expand R&D capabilities in advanced technology. Why it matters: This law consolidated Abu Dhabi's R&D efforts under a single council, signaling a strategic push to become a leading hub for advanced technology research and development.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, visited MBZUAI and discussed the university's role in shaping the UAE's next 50 years. He was briefed on research projects including AI for remote medical care, holographic surgery techniques, and machine learning for enhanced mobility. He emphasized the importance of AI literacy in the UAE government's strategic projects and the university's role in fostering digital, technical, and scientific excellence. Why it matters: The visit underscores the UAE's commitment to AI as a key driver of future solutions and economic progress, with MBZUAI playing a central role in this vision.
MBZUAI President Eric Xing addressed the Class of 2025 at Space42 in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the university's growth and impact. He thanked outgoing chairman H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber and welcomed new chair H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak. Xing emphasized the shift of technological innovation towards the MENA region, citing the UAE-US AI partnership and the unveiling of the world’s largest AI campus outside the U.S. Why it matters: This address underscores the UAE's ambition to become a global AI hub and the pivotal role of MBZUAI in driving this transformation.