Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has taken a major step in advancing its mission to connect technology with society through the launch of The Academy. Introduced as a core institutional platform, The Academy is designed to promote interdisciplinary exchange, share leading AI research, and convene influential voices from science, arts and culture.
The launch ceremony was attended by His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Member of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, together with Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI. The announcement coincided with the university’s five-year milestone and the graduation of the sixth cohort of the MBZUAI Executive Program, alongside the unveiling of the first AI x Arts Fellowship.
The inaugural fellowship brings together eight internationally recognised practitioners, including data artist Refik Anadol, AI-driven filmmaker James Gerde, multidisciplinary creator Emi Kusano, and environmental artist Lachlan Turczan. The cohort also features Amrita Sethi, the UAE’s first NFT artist, neural network visualiser Daniel Ambrosi, Emirati technologist Ahmad AlAttar, and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. In 2026, the fellows will undertake two residencies in Abu Dhabi to collaborate with AI researchers and engage with the emirate’s cultural institutions.
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.”
The event took place at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, where guests viewed works from MBZUAI’s art collections that explore the relationship between scientific advancement and cultural expression.
The Academy also incorporates the MBZUAI Executive Program, a 16-week initiative supporting senior leaders in applying AI to national priorities. The latest cohort included 43 leaders from sectors such as energy, healthcare, finance and governance, with over two-thirds occupying top executive roles. To date, more than 200 leaders have completed the programme.
Capstone projects were also presented during the launch, including an AI-powered personalised longevity companion designed to improve health outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs in Abu Dhabi. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.
