- The establishment of the university is a translation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s vision and belief in the importance of knowledge and scientific research in empowering man and promoting progress and development.

- The first university for specialized graduate studies in artificial intelligence research at the global level.

- Start receiving applications for registration in master's and doctoral programs for the academic year starting in September 2020.

Abu Dhabi, October 16 / WAM/ Today Abu Dhabi witnessed the announcement of the establishment of "Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence", the first university for specialized graduate studies in artificial intelligence research at the global level. The university aims to empower students, companies and governments to develop applications of artificial intelligence and harness them for the service of humanity.

The university bears the name of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, whose vision focuses on launching initiatives aimed at developing knowledge and scientific thinking in order to promote the progress of the country towards the future.

"Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence" will offer a new academic and research model in the field of artificial intelligence, and will provide students and faculty members with the latest and most advanced systems of artificial intelligence in the world to harness its potential for economic and community development.

A press conference was held to launch "Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence" in Masdar City which hosts the university's headquarters, followed by the first meeting of the university's Board of Trustees.

The event was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Airports Company; His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Hamid Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills; His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence; and Dr. Abdul Latif Muhammad Al Chamisi, Director of the Higher Colleges of Technology, along with a number of experts, officials, and academics in the sector.

During the conference, a video was shown highlighting the efforts of the United Arab Emirates to focus on education and gain capabilities in artificial intelligence. Then, members of the university’s board of trustees spoke about its purpose for establishment, the great potential it offers, and its future plans.

On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and supervisor of the university’s establishment, said: “The launch of Abu Dhabi’s ‘Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence’ is in line with the vision of the leadership to focus on looking ahead and building capabilities in areas that strengthen the active participation of the United Arab Emirates in finding practical solutions based on innovation and the latest technology to ensure the sustainability of development, progress, and welfare for humanity. The Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence extends an open invitation from Abu Dhabi to the world to work hand-in-hand to unleash the full potential provided by innovative artificial intelligence technologies that have already begun to change many aspects of our lives and world.

There is no doubt that investing in the opportunities and capabilities of artificial intelligence will contribute to enabling and developing human beings, as well as encouraging fertile human imagination to explore opportunities and apply solutions capable of raising the quality of life. Here comes the role of "Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence", which will work on preparing and empowering innovation leaders who are able to move forward towards a new era supported by artificial intelligence.

Experts from all over the world have been selected to join the university's board of trustees, including Professor Sir Michael Brady, who is serving as the interim president of Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence and currently holds the position of professor of oncology imaging at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Also, Professor Anil Jain, a professor at Michigan State University in the United States; Professor Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, dean of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Information Sciences at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China; Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, an executive in technology and venture capitalist investor in Beijing, China; Professor Daniela Rus, director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at MIT in the United States; and Peng Xia, CEO of "Group 42".

The Board of Trustees will be supported by an advisory board headed by His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, and including His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Boloul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills; Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology File; His Excellency Jasem Al Zaabi, Head of the Finance Department in Abu Dhabi; and Dr. Wen Li Min, Chief Machine Learning Scientist at Alibaba.

Over the next decade, artificial intelligence is expected to have a radical impact on the global economy, with experts estimating that by 2030 its contribution could reach $16 trillion. In line with these studies and the UAE’s strategy of moving towards a knowledge-based economy, AI has become a strategic national priority. A clear roadmap for an AI-supported future was announced in 2017 through the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, and the first minister for artificial intelligence in the world was appointed. Experts currently estimate that by 2030, AI’s contribution to the country’s GDP will rise to around 14%, making it the largest share of GDP in the Middle East.

H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber added: Artificial intelligence has the ability to bring about a wide-ranging social and economic transformation, similar to the qualitative leap brought about by the invention of electricity, trains, smartphones, and many other technological innovations. To take advantage of the diverse opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, we must prepare ourselves, develop appropriate infrastructure, invest in skills development, and establish specialized academic institutions in this field. The wise leadership in Abu Dhabi has always recognized the importance of acquiring these capabilities, as is evident from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces’ vision and firm belief in the importance of knowledge as a tool for social progress. The launch of the “Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence” is clear evidence of the UAE's commitment to encouraging innovation and empowering young people in the country and around the world.

From its location in “Masdar City”, the university will offer master’s and doctoral programs in the main areas of artificial intelligence, including machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. There will also be cooperation with policymakers and companies from all over the world to harness AI responsibly as a force for positive change.

The "Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence" has collaborated with the "Institute for Artificial Intelligence" /IIAI/, which is based in Abu Dhabi and one of the most prominent institutes in the field of excellence and pioneering artificial intelligence research, to supervise PhD students and develop the educational curriculum. Under this partnership, the institute will be a partner in collaborative research.

The university will also host many regional and international conferences, seminars, and workshops with participation from a select group of AI experts.

Professor Sir Michael Brady said: After decades of conducting research on machine learning and artificial intelligence, we have reached a turning point in the widespread application of advanced intelligence. This development, along with other factors, provides new and unique job opportunities in almost every sector of society. The "Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence" will focus on supporting and encouraging students to seize these opportunities and expand their contribution to developing artificial intelligence worldwide.

The "Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence" will provide all accepted students with a full scholarship, as well as a range of benefits such as a monthly stipend, health insurance, accommodation, and housing. The university will work with major local and global companies to secure internships for students and help them find employment.

Graduating students can apply to the “Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence” starting in October 2019 through the university’s website, with registration opening in August 2020. The first academic year for graduate students will begin on the campus of the “Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence” in Masdar City in September 2020.

More information is available at the website of the “Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence”: www.mbzuai.ac.ae -ML-