MBZUAI launched the Institute of Foundation Models, the MBZUAI Metaverse Center (MMC), and the MBZUAI Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC) at GITEX 2023. The university also signed MoUs with Abu Dhabi Customs and the Department of Municipalities and Transport to collaborate on AI applications. MBZUAI faculty participated in panel discussions on generative AI and large language models, including the Jais Arabic LLM. Why it matters: These initiatives and partnerships signal MBZUAI's central role in advancing AI research, development, and adoption across key sectors in the UAE.
MBZUAI has launched the MBZUAI Metaverse Center (MMC) and the MBZUAI Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC). The Metaverse Center focuses on AI-driven immersive technologies for communication, healthcare, entertainment, and education. The Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center will focus on catalyzing AI innovation and adoption in industry. Why it matters: These centers signal MBZUAI's commitment to expanding AI research and fostering a startup ecosystem in the UAE.
MBZUAI's Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC), launched in November 2023, is fostering AI-driven startups, including LibrAI, Audiomatic, and Limb. LibrAI is an AI safety monitoring platform founded by MBZUAI postdoctoral researcher Xudong Han. Audiomatic, created by MBZUAI students Muhammad Taimoor Haseeb and Ahmad Hammoudeh, is an AI-powered audio integration platform. Why it matters: These startups demonstrate MBZUAI's role in translating AI research into practical solutions, contributing to the UAE's innovation ecosystem and addressing real-world challenges.
MBZUAI alumna Akbobek Abilkaiyrkyzy, who graduated with a master's in machine learning in 2022, has been involved in various domains, including industry, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Her master's thesis focused on developing a chatbot for mental health problem detection, leading to the creation of WellRound, an app that uses data from various sources to improve mental and physical wellbeing. She further developed the app with support from the MBZUAI Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC). Why it matters: This highlights MBZUAI's role in fostering AI innovation and entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector, as well as empowering its graduates to create solutions addressing critical societal needs.
The MBZUAI Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC) is supporting AI startups in Abu Dhabi, leveraging its position as the region’s first AI-native incubator. In its first year, MIEC has supported nine startups that have attracted external funding exceeding internal grants by eight times. MIEC is also launching an AI-focused Mentors Network connecting international AI experts and investors with startup founders. Why it matters: MIEC's activities help grow the AI ecosystem in the UAE, which is seeing rapid growth in the number of AI companies.