The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first graduate-level research university dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI), will collaborate with IBM to establish an AI Centre of Excellence
Senior leaders from both organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at advancing fundamental AI research, as well as accelerating the types of scientific breakthroughs that could unlock the potential of AI to help solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.
The collaboration will focus on three key pillars: Natural Language Processing (NLP) including Arabic, AI applications in the healthcare industry, and sustainability.
Professor Eric Xing, President of MBZUAI, delivered short remarks, as did Jonathan Adashek, IBM’s Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, and Saad Toma, General Manager, IBM Middle East, and Africa. The agreement was then signed by Sultan Al Hajji, Vice President for Public Affairs and Alumni Relations at MBZUAI, and Wael Abdoush, General Manager IBM Gulf and the Levant.
“We’re excited to be among the first research universities in the Mena region to host a Centre of Excellence for AI research and development with technology and expertise from a world-leading technological giant like IBM. This center will provide a highly valuable resource and a collaborative environment to our faculty and students
IBM will provide targeted training and technologies as part of the initiative, which supports the university’s vision to be a global leader in advancing AI and its application for the good of society and business. For example, through the IBM Academic Initiative, IBM will provide MBZUAI students and faculty with access to IBM tools, software, courseware, and cloud accounts for teaching, learning, and non-commercial research. In addition, through the IBM Skills Academy program, MBZUAI will have access to curated AI curricula, lectures, labs, industry use cases, design-thinking sessions, and an AI Practitioner certification.
“We’re excited to be among the first research universities in the MENA region to host a Centre of Excellence for AI research and development with technology and expertise from a world-leading technological giant like IBM. This center will provide a highly valuable resource and collaborative environment to our faculty and students to broaden their work in AI,” MBZUAI president, Professor Eric Xing, said.
Saad Toma, general manager, IBM Middle East, and Africa, said: “This collaboration will help drive innovations in AI, which is critical for the future of business and society. We’re bringing together some of the brightest minds across both the industry and academia while reinforcing IBM’s commitment to promoting knowledge and skills in critical areas for the UAE’s development, where the use of technologies like AI is fundamental.”
The planned relationship is subject to the parties reaching definitive agreements.
