MBZUAI Executive Program participants gathered for community-building activities on Jubail Island, including a mangrove walk and dinner. MBZUAI President Eric Xing emphasized the opportunity to build partnerships and an AI community. The event aimed to foster collaboration and understanding among participants to drive positive AI progress. Why it matters: Such initiatives can help bridge divides between organizations and facilitate the responsible development of AI in the UAE.
MBZUAI and the Abu Dhabi School of Government (ADSG) signed an MoU at GITEX 2021 to develop AI training programs for UAE leadership. The programs will focus on integrating AI technologies into governance, industry, education, and healthcare. MBZUAI and ADSG will jointly develop training programs and offer seminars/workshops on key AI research areas. Why it matters: This partnership strengthens the UAE's knowledge economy and supports Abu Dhabi's digitalization agenda by enhancing AI expertise in the government sector.
UC Berkeley professor Michael I. Jordan will lead a session on AI, Machine Learning and Economy as part of the MBZUAI Executive Program. The program is headed by MBZUAI President Eric Xing and includes 42 participants from ministerial leadership and top industry executives. The 12-week program aims to support the UAE's AI leadership mission through education, capacity building, innovation, and R&D. Why it matters: The involvement of a prominent academic figure like Jordan highlights the UAE's commitment to attracting global expertise in AI education and solidifying its position as an AI hub.
MBZUAI has opened graduate admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year, offering five M.Sc. and five Ph.D. programs, alongside a new Master in Applied AI (MAAI). The MAAI program is designed for working professionals, focusing on applying AI to solve organizational and societal challenges, taught by MBZUAI faculty and international guest speakers. The university also provides fully-funded scholarships for its M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in computer science, computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics. Why it matters: This new program and scholarship offerings will help MBZUAI attract top talent and further establish itself as a leading AI research institution in the region.
MBZUAI's President Eric Xing met with École Polytechnique (L’X) and Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP) leaders to discuss AI research initiatives. The meetings explored potential collaborations between MBZUAI and the French institutions, including the Hi! Paris interdisciplinary center in AI and Data Science. They also discussed strengthening links with private industry and maintaining excellence in research and innovation. Why it matters: This partnership aims to foster international collaboration in AI research and development, potentially enhancing MBZUAI's capabilities and expanding its global network.
MBZUAI has opened applications for its NextGen Winter Program, a two-week AI literacy program for UAE high school students (Grades 10-12) taking place December 8-19, 2025. The program includes interactive workshops, group challenges, and engagement with MBZUAI faculty, with registration closing on November 19, 2025. This winter edition follows a successful summer program that saw high interest from UAE youth in AI. Why it matters: The program contributes to building national AI capabilities by providing early AI exposure to UAE youth, in line with the UAE's vision for future-ready talent.
A Mixture of Experts (MoE) layer is a sparsely activated deep learning layer. It uses a router network to direct each token to one of the experts. Yuanzhi Li, an assistant professor at CMU and affiliated faculty at MBZUAI, researches deep learning theory and NLP. Why it matters: This highlights MBZUAI's engagement with cutting-edge deep learning research, specifically in efficient model design.
Virgin Hyperloop is collaborating with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi to develop an AI-powered operating system for its hyperloop transport system. The operating system aims to optimize the hyperloop's operations, including fleet management and vehicle movement, for the proposed 1,080 kph system. Co-founder Josh Giegel highlighted the Gulf's keen interest and involvement in the project, with Dubai's DP World being a major investor. Why it matters: This partnership signifies the UAE's growing role in cutting-edge transportation technology and the application of AI in optimizing complex systems, potentially revolutionizing regional and global transport.