Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has unveiled The Academy, a new strategic pillar designed to extend the university’s influence beyond research and into wider societal engagement. The Academy will serve as a global platform for dialogue at the intersection of AI, culture and leadership.
The launch took place 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 announcement coincided with the university’s five-year milestone celebrations and the graduation of the sixth cohort of the MBZUAI Executive Program.
The launch also marked the introduction of MBZUAI’s AI x Arts Fellowship. The first cohort of eight fellows includes Refik Anadol, James Gerde, Emi Kusano, Lachlan Turczan, Amrita Sethi, Daniel Ambrosi, Ahmad AlAttar and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. In 2026, the fellows will take part in two residencies in Abu Dhabi.
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 launch event was hosted at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation and featured works from the university’s collections illustrating the evolution of scientific knowledge through art.
The Academy also continues the work of the MBZUAI Executive Program, which empowers senior leaders to apply AI to national priorities. More than 200 leaders have completed the programme to date.
The event concluded with a showcase of Leading Capstone Projects, including an AI-powered longevity companion designed to improve healthcare outcomes. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.
