Dassault Aviation, TII, and ASPIRE (both part of ATRC) signed a strategic cooperation agreement at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The collaboration will focus on developing technologies for aerospace and defense, including stealth materials, autonomous sub-systems, AI, and secure communication systems. The partnership aims to deliver homegrown innovations, strengthen the UAE's industrial ecosystem, and expand global export opportunities. Why it matters: This agreement signifies the UAE's commitment to fostering local talent and achieving self-reliance in strategic sectors like aerospace and defense through advanced technology partnerships.
TII and Space42 are partnering to develop the UAE’s first space-to-ground quantum communication network, integrating satellite and ground-based systems using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology. The collaboration aims to develop, test, and deploy a space-based QKD solution, validating secure quantum communication links via satellite. The agreement, signed at the Dubai Airshow, covers R&D, payload development, satellite integration, and ground infrastructure. Why it matters: This initiative strengthens the UAE's cyber resilience and positions it as a leader in secure communication technologies and quantum-secure space systems.
TII's Secure Systems Research Center (SSRC) has partnered with Khalifa University, the University of Turku, and Graz University of Technology on secure mesh communications research projects. The collaborations aim to strengthen the security of Mesh network technology being developed by TII for machine-to-machine and human-to-human communications. The projects will focus on areas like communication resilience, physical layer security, and secure routing to resist eavesdropping, scanning, malware propagation, and jamming. Why it matters: This multi-party collaboration enhances the UAE's position in secure communication technologies, crucial for cyber-physical systems and autonomous operations in the region.
TII's Secure Systems Research Center (SSRC) has become a strategic member of RISC-V International to advance the development of open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) for computer chips. SSRC aims to contribute to the RISC-V community by developing security and resilience features in processors and platforms, fostering innovation in end-to-end security. SSRC will conduct open source research to secure communications between edge devices and cloud infrastructure, and harden device hardware and software to prevent malware. Why it matters: This move enables the UAE to have greater control and independence in computing platform design, reducing reliance on proprietary architectures and enhancing security and resilience in critical infrastructure.
Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has launched the UAE's first Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) software library, developed by the Cryptography Research Center (CRC). The library, written in C, supports various computer architectures and operating systems and has been integrated into secure communication products. It includes algorithms designed to protect against attacks by quantum computers, which threaten classic cryptographic methods. Why it matters: This launch positions the UAE among nations with advanced digital security capabilities, enhancing data confidentiality and security in the face of emerging quantum computing threats.
Researchers at the Quantum Research Center's (QRC) Quantum Communications lab (QComms) achieved a milestone by demonstrating the violation of a Bell inequality using pairs of polarized entangled photons. This achievement serves as a "quantum health check" for their entangled photon source. The QRC team is working to harness entanglement effects in ultra-secure key distribution schemes to enhance secure communication. Why it matters: This advancement validates the application-readiness of QRC's quantum communication devices, paving the way for enhanced security in communication technologies within the region.
The Secure Systems Research Center (SSRC) has obtained membership in the seL4 Foundation. This membership allows SSRC to participate in and contribute to the open-source development of seL4, a formally verified microkernel OS. SSRC aims to research, contribute to, and advance next-generation high-end edge device environments using seL4's capabilities. Why it matters: This move enhances the UAE's capabilities in developing secure and resilient edge computing solutions, fostering innovation in critical sectors like secure communications and drone technology.
MBZUAI Professor Fakherddine Karray is developing deep learning algorithms for human activity recognition to monitor the health and safety of elderly people. The AI tools analyze movement, posture, and facial expressions to detect early warning signs of health emergencies. Remote patient monitoring systems integrate smart devices and secure communication to allow elderly patients to stay at home and communicate with healthcare providers. Why it matters: AI-powered smart homes can provide affordable healthcare solutions for the rapidly growing elderly population in the region and worldwide.