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.
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 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.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with the first 45 Emirati talents selected for the Advanced Technology Research Council’s (ATRC) ‘NexTech’ program. The NexTech program aims to develop Emirati talent in research and technology, aligning with Abu Dhabi's investment in knowledge development. ATRC will empower UAE national talent via outreach, talent scouting, and directing talent to TII research projects. Why it matters: This program signifies a strategic push towards building national competencies in advanced technology and accelerating the UAE's transition to a knowledge-based economy.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan appointed Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai as the Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). The ATRC oversees technology research and strategy in Abu Dhabi. Why it matters: The appointment signifies continued investment in Abu Dhabi's advanced technology sector and AI ecosystem.
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 Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended a Ramadan lecture on solving global challenges through innovation, presented by Edward Jung. The lecture featured pre-recorded contributions from MBZUAI Chairman H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Dubai Future Foundation CEO Khalfan Belhoul, and MBZUAI President Professor Eric Xing, who discussed the UAE's investments in technology and innovation. Jung emphasized the need for a new model of innovation to address global challenges such as climate change and efficient cities. Why it matters: The lecture highlights the UAE's focus on utilizing technology and innovation to address critical global issues, with MBZUAI playing a central role in advancing these efforts.
MBZUAI awarded OpenAI CEO Sam Altman an honorary doctorate in recognition of his leadership in AI. The ceremony was attended by UAE dignitaries and university leadership, who emphasized Altman's impact on making AI accessible globally. Altman expressed his honor and commended MBZUAI's commitment to AI research and education. Why it matters: This award recognizes the growing importance of AI and the UAE's ambition to be a leader in the field, highlighting the alignment between global AI innovators and the nation's vision.