Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has officially launched The Academy, marking a significant expansion of its role in shaping how artificial intelligence interacts with society. The Academy has been established as a global forum for advanced exchange, bringing together expertise from AI research, creative industries and the humanities.
The announcement was made in the presence of His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Member of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, alongside Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI. The launch coincided with the university’s five-year milestone celebrations, the graduation of the sixth cohort of the MBZUAI Executive Program, and the introduction of the AI x Arts Fellowship.
The inaugural fellowship cohort includes eight leading creatives and innovators from around the world, including Refik Anadol, James Gerde, Emi Kusano and Lachlan Turczan. They are joined by Amrita Sethi, Daniel Ambrosi, Ahmad AlAttar and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. In 2026, the fellows will take part in two residencies in Abu Dhabi, collaborating with AI scientists and engaging with museums and cultural institutions across the emirate.
Spring Chunxiao Fu, Managing Director at the MBZUAI Academy said: “The launch of The Academy reflects the mission of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence to move AI beyond the laboratory and into the heart of society. By bringing together the world’s greatest minds – from the artists in our new fellowship to the leaders in our executive programmes – we hope to shape the narratives and elevate the global conversation beyond technology to purpose and impact, while contributing to Abu Dhabi’s ambitious role in the global AI landscape.”
Held at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, the launch event showcased selected works from MBZUAI’s art collections, highlighting the relationship between scientific advancement and cultural expression.
The Academy also incorporates the MBZUAI Executive Program, which equips senior government and business leaders with the skills to deploy AI in support of national priorities. The latest 16-week programme included 43 leaders from sectors such as energy, healthcare, finance and policy, with more than two-thirds holding executive roles. To date, over 200 leaders have completed the programme.
The event also highlighted applied research through leading capstone projects, including an AI-powered personalised longevity companion designed to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare expenditure in Abu Dhabi. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.
