Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has entered a new phase of its development with the official launch of The Academy, a strategic initiative aimed at expanding global dialogue around artificial intelligence and its societal impact. The Academy has been positioned as a hub for high-level knowledge exchange, connecting AI research with creative and humanistic disciplines.
The launch was held 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, and Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI. The announcement coincided with the university’s fifth anniversary, the graduation of the sixth cohort of the MBZUAI Executive Program, and the unveiling of the university’s first AI x Arts Fellowship.
Eight fellows make up the inaugural cohort, representing a diverse mix of global creative and technological expertise. The group includes Refik Anadol, filmmaker James Gerde, artist Emi Kusano, and environmental artist Lachlan Turczan. They are joined by UAE NFT pioneer Amrita Sethi, neural network artist Daniel Ambrosi, Emirati technologist Ahmad AlAttar, and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. In 2026, the fellows will take part in two residencies in Abu Dhabi designed to encourage collaboration with AI researchers and engagement with cultural organisations 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.”
Hosted at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, the event included a preview of selected artworks from MBZUAI’s collections, which trace the evolving relationship between scientific knowledge and cultural expression.
A central element of The Academy is the MBZUAI Executive Program, which supports senior leaders in leveraging AI for strategic and national priorities. The latest cohort brought together 43 leaders from key sectors including healthcare, energy, finance and public policy, with more than two-thirds holding senior executive roles. More than 200 leaders have completed the programme since its launch.
The event also highlighted practical innovation through the presentation of leading capstone projects, including an AI-enabled personalised longevity companion designed to improve health outcomes while reducing healthcare spending. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.