Latest news with #MBZUAI
TECHx
2 days ago
- Business
- TECHx
MBZUAI and Sorbonne Partner on Artificial Intelligence
Home » Emerging technologies » Artificial Intelligence » MBZUAI and Sorbonne Partner on Artificial Intelligence Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) announced a strategic academic partnership to enhance collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research, education, and ethics. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday at the MBZUAI campus by Professor Eric Xing, MBZUAI President, and Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, SUAD Chancellor, in the presence of senior leaders from both universities. The partnership aims to support MBZUAI's vision of becoming a global center for AI innovation and research. It also aligns with SUAD's Center for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), which operates from Abu Dhabi and Paris. Led by Professor Gérard Biau, SCAI contributes to advancing AI in Europe and the UAE and promotes interdisciplinary AI excellence. The MoU includes joint research initiatives focused on applying Artificial Intelligence across sectors such as healthcare, energy, climate science, transportation, and digital humanities. Both universities will co-supervise Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers to help develop advanced AI talent. Faculty and researcher exchanges will promote interdisciplinary knowledge sharing and enhance education. The collaboration also plans to upskill professionals and youth through joint courses, workshops, and summer schools covering AI fundamentals, generative AI, and AI ethics. Professor Eric Xing said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to the responsible development of AI technology. He highlighted the goal of combining MBZUAI's research expertise with SUAD's interdisciplinary strengths to foster AI knowledge exchange between France and the UAE, focusing on the cultural applications of AI. Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz reported that this formal collaboration strengthens the UAE's AI ecosystem. She noted the partnership links two key research centers with the objective of advancing AI innovation and supporting the nation's economic and industrial growth. The agreement also calls for engagement with public and private sector partners to apply AI solutions to real-world challenges. Furthermore, the universities will contribute to ethical AI frameworks and data governance guidelines. Plans include producing white papers, best practices, and policy research to shape responsible AI use regionally and globally. Attending the signing from MBZUAI were Professor Sami Haddadin, Vice President for Research; Dekyi Liang, Vice President and Chief of Staff; and Joni Cholwich, Senior Advisor. From SUAD, attendees included Dr. Majed Al Khemeiri, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administrative and Financial Affairs; Dr. Clio Chaveneau, Head of SAFIR Research Institute; and Manon Al Hakim, Chief of Staff. This MoU marks a significant step in uniting two of the UAE's leading AI institutions to combine expertise, empower talent, and position the UAE as a global hub for Artificial Intelligence innovation and transformation. Partnership supports UAE's national AI priorities in research and education Joint initiatives span healthcare, energy, climate, and transportation sectors Focus on ethical AI development, education, and cross-border collaboration
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
ADPIC signs strategic partnerships with nine leading academic institutions at Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit
Abu Dhabi – The Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) today announced the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with nine prestigious academic and professional institutions. These significant partnerships, unveiled during the inaugural Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS), underscore ADPIC's commitment to fostering innovation, developing local talent, and enhancing knowledge exchange within Abu Dhabi's rapidly evolving infrastructure sector. The agreements were signed with United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), American University of Sharjah (AUS), Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi,, Abu Dhabi University (ADU), Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the Project Management Institute UAE Chapter, and the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). These strategic partnerships, a highlight of ADIS's focus on future-ready infrastructure, will concentrate on collaborative research, student development, curriculum enhancement, and knowledge exchange to address real-world challenges in infrastructure development and capital project management. His Excellency Maysarah Mahmoud Eid, Director General of ADPIC, said,"These partnerships represent a pivotal investment in Abu Dhabi's future infrastructure ecosystem. By embedding capital projects expertise within academic curricula and creating robust research collaborations, we're building a sustainable talent pipeline specifically aligned with market needs. Our vision is to transform how students learn about infrastructure development—moving from theoretical case studies to hands-on engagement with Abu Dhabi's real-world projects. This approach will not only enhance educational outcomes but also accelerate innovation in critical areas such as sustainability, modular construction, and AI applications in infrastructure management." The collaborations will focus on several key areas: Research & Development Collaboration The partnerships will establish joint research initiatives focused on Abu Dhabi-specific challenges and opportunities in infrastructure development. Research themes include sustainable materials, green construction, climate resilience, AI applications in project management, modular housing solutions, and waste reduction strategies aligned with the UAE Net Zero 2050 Policy. Talent Development & Acquisition ADPIC will work with academic partners to create summer programmes, internships, and field projects for students. The partnerships will establish formal talent pipelines, with universities providing CVs of top-performing graduates to ADPIC annually. This approach aims to ensure graduates possess the skills and knowledge required by the infrastructure sector. Curriculum Integration A key focus of the partnerships will be embedding capital projects management into engineering and business curricula. Students will gain practical knowledge about the unique attributes of infrastructure projects, government tendering processes, risk management, and approval procedures, preparing them for careers in the sector. Knowledge Exchange The agreements facilitate two-way knowledge transfer, with ADPIC experts serving as guest lecturers at partner institutions and university faculty providing specialised lectures to ADPIC staff. This exchange will enrich both academic programmes and professional practice. The MoUs also outline plans for innovation challenges, hackathons, and student competitions addressing specific challenges in the infrastructure and capital projects sector. These activities will foster creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking among students. These collaborations align with ADPIC's broader mission to enhance Abu Dhabi's infrastructure ecosystem through strategic partnerships, innovation, and capacity building. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, ADPIC aims to create a knowledge-rich environment that supports Abu Dhabi's long-term development goals. About Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre Established in 2023, ADPIC's vision is to oversee and manage capital projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for every resident in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This involves diverse projects such as housing, infrastructure, tourism, community facilities, and education. ADPIC's mandate includes managing contracts, reviewing, approving, planning, and designing capital projects. These are overseen by the Centre in close collaboration with relevant entities and stakeholders to ensure quality is maintained while also facilitating efficient project execution in alignment with Abu Dhabi's strategic goals. Throughout its operations, the Centre is committed to strengthening public-private partnerships and adopting global best practices in sustainability.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
MBZUAI and SUAD partner to advance AI research and responsible innovation
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday, to launch a strategic academic partnership that will accelerate collaboration in AI research, education, and ethics. The agreement was signed at the MBZUAI campus by Professor Eric Xing, MBZUAI President and University Professor, and Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, SUAD Chancellor and University Professor, in the presence of senior leaders from both institutions. The partnership supports MBZUAI's vision to serve as a global epicenter for AI innovation and research, expanding through its Institute of Foundation Models labs in France and Silicon Valley, and positioning Abu Dhabi as a leader in advancing ethical, inclusive, and high-impact technologies. It also aligns with the Abu Dhabi and Paris campus of SUAD's Center for Artificial Intelligence's (SCAI) vision to drive interdisciplinary AI excellence as a catalyst in Abu Dhabi's transformative innovation ecosystem. Led by Professor Gérard Biau, SCAI is a key contributor to Europe and the UAE's AI advancement and reinforces SUAD's commitment to global collaborative research and AI leadership. The agreement, which contributes to the UAE's national priorities in AI and education, outlines a series of joint research initiatives focused on AI and its applications across key sectors such as healthcare, energy, climate science, transportation, and digital humanities. The universities will co-supervise Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers to support the development of advanced academic talent. Faculty and researcher exchanges will enhance the educational experience and promote interdisciplinary knowledge sharing. The collaboration also focuses on upskilling working professionals and youth through the joint design and delivery of courses, workshops, and summer schools covering AI fundamentals, generative AI, and AI ethics. 'This partnership with Sorbonne Abu Dhabi reflects our shared belief in the transformative power of AI and the responsibility we hold as academic institutions to ensure its development benefits society,' said Professor Eric Xing, MBZUAI President and University Professor. 'By combining MBZUAI's world-class research and technical expertise in AI with SUAD's interdisciplinary strengths, we aim to further explore the knowledge and technology exchange between France and the UAE—with a special focus on how this technology can be used to preserve, enhance, and promote culture in meaningful and innovative ways.' Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Chancellor of SUAD, said: 'Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi has been working closely with MBZUAI over the past few years, and we are pleased to now formalize this collaboration. This partnership reinforces the UAE's AI ecosystem by linking two leading research centers, with the shared goal of advancing innovation and generating tangible impact on the nation's economy and industrial landscape.' Both universities will engage with public and private sector partners to apply AI solutions to real-world challenges, while contributing to the development of ethical frameworks and data governance guidelines. The MoU includes plans to produce white papers, best practices, and policy research to help shape regional and global approaches to responsible AI use. The signing was attended by MBZUAI's Professor Sami Haddadin, Vice President for Research; Dekyi Liang, Vice President and Chief of Staff; and Joni Cholwich, Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff. From SUAD, attendees included Dr. Majed Al Khemeiri, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administrative and Financial Affairs; Dr. Clio Chaveneau, Head of the SAFIR Research Institute; and Manon Al Hakim, Chief of Staff. The MoU marks a milestone in uniting two of the UAE's leading AI institutions to combine expertise, empower talent, and position the UAE as a global hub for AI innovation and transformation. About Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) MBZUAI is a research-focused university in Abu Dhabi, and the first university dedicated entirely to the advancement of science through AI. The university empowers the next generation of AI leaders, driving innovation and impactful applications of AI through world-class education and interdisciplinary research. In 2025, MBZUAI launched its first ever undergraduate program, a Bachelor of Science in AI, with two distinct streams: Business and Engineering. For more information, please visit To apply for admission, visit or contact admission@ For press inquiries, please contact: media@ Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi was established in May 2006 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, and is licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). The French Emirati university draws on 760 years of academic excellence from the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris. Featuring a state-of-the-art campus that spans 93,000 square meters and located on Al Reem Island, the university provides an inspiring and enriching environment for both students and faculty. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi adheres to the French education system, with degrees awarded by Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité. SUAD programmes are evaluated by the Higher Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES) and accredited by the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Innovation (MESR) in France. Furthermore, all programmes are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). To date, more than 2800 students from more than 90 different nationalities have graduated from Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Sorbonne Université is ranked among the top 50 universities in the world, holding 41st position in the Shanghai ranking, 4th position for mathematics and 17th for physics in the same ranking. Its law programs are ranked 19th by the Young University ranking. The School of Arts and Humanities at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is recognized as the 1st Humanities Education University by the Forbes Middle East Higher Education Awards 2019. For more information about Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi:
Khaleej Times
04-06-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Student develops AI system to help police detect crimes before they happen
A member of Dubai Police, and inspired researcher, has developed a homegrown system that could take crime prevention one step further — by detecting it before it happens. Dr Salem AlMarri, the first Emirati to earn a Ph.D. from the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), has designed a video anomaly detection (VAD) system capable of identifying unusual behaviour in real-time. The technology could, in theory, alert authorities to suspicious or harmful activity before a formal complaint is ever made, or even before a crime is committed. 'Today, we understand how a human or object looks and moves. But how do we understand something that breaks the pattern, [like] an anomaly?' AlMarri said in an interview with Khaleej Times. 'A person walking in a very weird manner could mean something is going on. It could be an accident, or a hazard, or a fight unfolding. Anomalies have different meanings in real life; and we're training AI to recognise them.' While the field of anomaly detection has existed for decades, AlMarri's research brings the concept into the realm of video and audio. Using AI, his model is trained to distinguish between normal and abnormal footage. For example, learning to identify when an incident like a robbery or assault is taking place, even if it unfolds in a subtle or non-violent manner. As an example, he cited a hypothetical scene where a man walks up to a cashier and asks for money, politely. 'A normal camera won't know what's happening, it will just see a generous cashier handing money to somebody.' But beneath the surface, the AI model may detect subtle cues like body posture, tone, micro-behaviours — that point to coercion or threat. The model must first 'understand what is normal and what is abnormal,' by being trained on large amounts of labelled footage, he explained. 'We need to show it footage of people just handling money in the normal fashion. And then we tell it, okay, this is where something bad happens — robbery, burglary, or whatever. It learns to tell the differences, like a human child. And if it predicts correctly, it gets rewarded.' Thousands of experiments AlMarri's research, carried out during his secondment from Dubai Police, involved thousands of training experiments using real-world datasets. To overcome a key challenge — that many videos don't clearly indicate when an abnormal event begins, he designed a new approach. 'I shuffled different segments of videos to create a custom dataset, one moment showing a road accident, the next showing people walking normally in a mall, then a street fight,' he explained, 'this way, the model learned to recognise when something shifted from normal to abnormal.' His work also tackled real-world obstacles that could hinder performance. He developed a benchmark that allows the model to function even when one input, audio or video, is corrupted. This has major implications in the UAE, where weather conditions like fog can obstruct video clarity. 'If there's heavy fog or noise distortion, many models fail. So we trained ours to rely on one modality if the other is compromised. This is crucial for environments like autonomous driving or surveillance during poor visibility,' he pointed. The flagship findings are part of his Ph.D. thesis at MBZUAI, conducted under the supervision of Professor Karthik Nandakumar in the Sprint AI lab, which focuses on security, privacy, and preservation technologies. Like father, like son AlMarri's journey is rooted in a childhood filled with invention. His father, an engineer, built a screw-free wind turbine in the 1990s, a computer interface for people with no limbs, and a digital attendance system for police officers — long before such technologies were mainstream. 'It was a personal challenge for me, to at least try to come close to his achievements, to carry on his legacy.' After joining Dubai Police in 2016 and working on robotics and drones, he pursued further education in AI to stay relevant as the department transformed into a data-driven force. 'Within the police, our department went from being a smart service department to an AI department. I felt like I was being outpaced,' he recalled. Following a master's in electrical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology, he was selected for MBZUAI's first Ph.D. cohort in computer vision - a move he describes as transformative. "MBZUAI humbled me,' described the 30-year-old. 'I had won competitions and worked on great projects, but this was something different. I was challenged over and over. When I walked out the door, I thought I didn't know anything. But when I came into reality, I realised I had been equipped to face any challenge.' The road ahead AlMarri is now preparing to return to Dubai Police and hopes to present his work to senior leadership. While the system has not yet been implemented by the police, he believes it could have significant value.'They have done exceptionally,' he said, referring to the force's AI capabilities. '[The technology] works. It can be deployed. It's up to them how they want to use it.' He expressed confidence that Dubai Police, a recognised leader in smart policing, would be well-positioned to integrate the research. 'They've reached a high level of maturity in AI. I believe I'm returning to an entity that can make effective use of what I've worked on, and I hope to contribute to their development journey. If we have this conversation in a year, the impact will be evident,' he said confidently. As for what's next, AlMarri hopes to publish research regularly, mentor young talent, and continue innovating - always with the goal of giving back to his country. 'I've been blessed to be the first Emirati Ph.D. from MBZUAI,' he noted. 'That comes with responsibility. Research is one way to give back, not just to science, but to the UAE.'
Gulf Today
29-05-2025
- Science
- Gulf Today
Khaled attends MBZUAI's commencement ceremony
Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has attended the 2025 commencement ceremony of Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). The graduating class comprised 104 students, making it MBZUAI's largest and most diverse cohort to date. The cohort included 13 PhD and 91 master's degree graduates across the university's three specialisations: Computer Vision (CV), Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Sheikh Khaled congratulated the graduates on their achievement and honoured several PhD and master's recipients, wishing them continued success in their academic and professional journeys, encouraging them to apply their knowledge and expertise in advancing the nation's development and helping to build an innovation-led, technology-driven economy. He emphasised the UAE leadership's firm belief that shaping the future begins with knowledge, science, and technological advancement, noting that the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for artificial intelligence research and development by building an integrated ecosystem that places AI in the service of people and society, while reinforcing national leadership in key strategic sectors. The ceremony was attended by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Chairman of MBZUAI's Board of Trustees, Dr Ahmed Mubarak bin Nawi Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President's Office for Strategic Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, Sara Awadh Musallam, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement, Major General Ahmed Saif Bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince, Professor Eric Xing, MBZUAI President and University Professor, Timothy Baldwin, MBZUAI Provost, members of the university faculty, and graduates' families. This year's cohort has 20 Emirati graduates, the highest number since the university's inception, including one PhD graduate in Computer Vision (CV) and nine local female graduates in different AI specialities, underscoring the university's commitment to cultivating homegrown talent to lead artificial intelligence-related sectors. Graduates from the 2025 class represent 24 countries, including Pakistan, India, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Italy, as well as first-time graduates from Armenia, Bangladesh, Comoros, Dominica, Eritrea, Norway, Serbia, and Uruguay, underscoring the university's growing international reach and its commitment to attracting top global talent. MBZUAI now boasts an expanding alumni network of 316 AI specialists, driving transformation across industries worldwide. Nearly 80 per cent of alumni started working in Abu Dhabi within one year of graduation. As the university expands to offer 13 graduate programmes and launches its first undergraduate programme – a Bachelor of Science in AI with Business and Engineering tracks – it continues its mission to shape the future of AI locally, regionally and internationally. Recently, Sheikh Khaled attended the graduation ceremony of the 36th cohort of cadet officers, 38th cohort of university graduates, 21st cohort of female university graduates, and the third batch of international cadets at the Police College. Sheikh Khaled congratulated the graduates, wishing them success in their careers as they serve their nation and its leadership, underscoring the importance of upholding excellence in policing by adopting the latest methodologies and best practices in law enforcement and security, as a rapidly evolving sector. He also extended his congratulations to the international graduates, encouraging them to apply the skills and knowledge gained during their training to serve their respective countries. WAM
