Latest news with #MBZUAI
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Science
- Gulf Today
Khaled attends MBZUAI's commencement ceremony
Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has attended the 2025 commencement ceremony of Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). The graduating class comprised 104 students, making it MBZUAI's largest and most diverse cohort to date. The cohort included 13 PhD and 91 master's degree graduates across the university's three specialisations: Computer Vision (CV), Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Sheikh Khaled congratulated the graduates on their achievement and honoured several PhD and master's recipients, wishing them continued success in their academic and professional journeys, encouraging them to apply their knowledge and expertise in advancing the nation's development and helping to build an innovation-led, technology-driven economy. He emphasised the UAE leadership's firm belief that shaping the future begins with knowledge, science, and technological advancement, noting that the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for artificial intelligence research and development by building an integrated ecosystem that places AI in the service of people and society, while reinforcing national leadership in key strategic sectors. The ceremony was attended by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Chairman of MBZUAI's Board of Trustees, Dr Ahmed Mubarak bin Nawi Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President's Office for Strategic Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, Sara Awadh Musallam, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement, Major General Ahmed Saif Bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince, Professor Eric Xing, MBZUAI President and University Professor, Timothy Baldwin, MBZUAI Provost, members of the university faculty, and graduates' families. This year's cohort has 20 Emirati graduates, the highest number since the university's inception, including one PhD graduate in Computer Vision (CV) and nine local female graduates in different AI specialities, underscoring the university's commitment to cultivating homegrown talent to lead artificial intelligence-related sectors. Graduates from the 2025 class represent 24 countries, including Pakistan, India, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Italy, as well as first-time graduates from Armenia, Bangladesh, Comoros, Dominica, Eritrea, Norway, Serbia, and Uruguay, underscoring the university's growing international reach and its commitment to attracting top global talent. MBZUAI now boasts an expanding alumni network of 316 AI specialists, driving transformation across industries worldwide. Nearly 80 per cent of alumni started working in Abu Dhabi within one year of graduation. As the university expands to offer 13 graduate programmes and launches its first undergraduate programme – a Bachelor of Science in AI with Business and Engineering tracks – it continues its mission to shape the future of AI locally, regionally and internationally. Recently, Sheikh Khaled attended the graduation ceremony of the 36th cohort of cadet officers, 38th cohort of university graduates, 21st cohort of female university graduates, and the third batch of international cadets at the Police College. Sheikh Khaled congratulated the graduates, wishing them success in their careers as they serve their nation and its leadership, underscoring the importance of upholding excellence in policing by adopting the latest methodologies and best practices in law enforcement and security, as a rapidly evolving sector. He also extended his congratulations to the international graduates, encouraging them to apply the skills and knowledge gained during their training to serve their respective countries. WAM
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
‘A moment of pride': MBZUAI graduates represent new crop of global AI talent
29 May 2025 01:05 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Year after year, the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) continues to reach major milestones, reflecting the UAE's expanding AI footprint. This year, the university celebrated its largest and most diverse graduating class, with 104 students earning future-ready degrees.'We had our first UAE national PhD graduate, who is also a member of Dubai Police. We also had our first three female PhD graduates. So, it was quite the milestone for the university,' Prof. Timothy Baldwin, Provost of MBZUAI, told Aletihad on the sidelines of Wednesday's graduation university awarded PhD degrees to 13 graduates and master's degrees to 91 students. Among them were 20 Emiratis — the highest number of UAE nationals to graduate since the university's year's graduates represent a new generation of AI talent, specialising in three core areas: Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing.'Next year, we will also have our first robotics graduates,' Baldwin said. 'Every year is the largest because we're growing and growing.'Although more than 80% of MBZUAI's students hail from around the world, 80% of graduates choose to remain in the UAE—a testament to the university's global appeal and national impact, Baldwin students are 'gaining high-end AI skills and generating intellectual capital'—creating innovations ranging from Arabic language models to breakthroughs in healthcare, the university's provost said.'Our Jais large language models are now the most popular for Arabic. These are open-weight and aligned with our region's values—something foreign models do not offer,' he explained.'From Alzheimer's and brain tumour detection to low-cost ultrasound tools—we are improving both hospital outcomes and access for underserved communities.'The MBZUAI students are not just learning AI, Baldwin said, they 'help build the safeguards the world urgently needs.' The Work of MBZUAI GraduatesSalem Almarri, the MBZUAI's first Emirati PhD graduate in computer vision, conducted a study on real-time anomaly detection. He developed three methods to identify criminal activity in video. 'Being the first Emirati PhD graduate (in this field) carries weight—I must keep going. We are blessed with leadership that had this vision, and now it's our turn to do our part,' Almarri said. Asif Hanif, who researched AI trust and model vulnerabilities, vowed to pursue higher studies after earning his PhD in computer vision. Mohamed Ridzwan, a PhD graduate in machine learning, focused on AI for cancer prediction. "MBZUAI is a hub of knowledge and a catalyst for AI in the region. It is a privilege to be part of this ecosystem,' he said. Maryam Arjemandi, who completed her master's in computer vision, studied fetal ultrasound imaging using diffusion models. 'There is a big data gap in medical imaging, so I partnered with Corniche Hospital to create a private dataset and trained a model to generate realistic ultrasound images,' she told Aletihad. Her aunt, Munira, beamed with pride just listening to the new graduate explain her work. 'She is the first in our family to earn a master's degree. She told me it was her dream—and thank God, I saw that dream come true."Arjemandi urged those thinking about pursuing AI studies to 'just go for it'. 'The UAE is the third strongest country in AI. If you want to do AI, come here,' she said. Hassan Almarzooqi was a proud father of graduates Abdullah and Abdelrahman. "It is truly a moment of joy. They are our sons, but also sons of the nation."Abdelrahman said it was 'a moment of pride to graduate from the top AI university', while Abdullah highlighted the university's steadfast support. 'Everything you need is provided — you just have to work hard,' Abdullah said.
The National
3 days ago
- Health
- The National
More than 100 tech specialists graduate from Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
The latest class of graduates from the world's first dedicated artificial intelligence university have proudly completed their studies. More than 100 students graduated from Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence on Wednesday during a ceremony in Abu Dhabi. They hail from 24 countries, and include 91 master's degree and 12 PhD students, with 20 Emiratis among them. The cohort's research covered a range of cutting-edge areas, including detecting Alzheimer's disease, developing climate change models and building Arabic-language AI tools. The university opened in 2020 as part of the UAE's strategy to become a global centre for AI development and innovation. Among the 104 graduates was Daniel Gebre, 27, from Eritrea, who completed a master's degree in machine learning. His research focused on making AI models smaller and more efficient so they can be used on mobile phones in areas with limited internet access. 'This was deeply personal. I grew up in a place with poor internet,' he told The National. 'I wanted to build tools that people like my friends back home could use for studying and daily activities, without needing a connection.' Mr Gebre arrived in the country in 2019 through a UAE government scholarship programme and earned a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from Zayed University. He now has a job offer as a machine learning engineer from technology group G42. Umaima Rahman, 29, from India, earned a PhD in computer vision, with a research focus on deep learning for medical imaging. She is now exploring postdoctoral roles and jobs focused on AI applications in health care. 'The journey was difficult but extremely rewarding,' she said. 'One of the best things about the university is the collaborative research environment – you're encouraged to work across disciplines.' Making the grade For Yevheniia Kryklyvets, 24, from Ukraine, the ceremony was especially emotional. After missing her undergraduate graduation in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, this marked her first official ceremony. She completed a master's degree in computer vision. 'It was so exciting, especially seeing the support from the country's leadership,' Ms Kryklyvets said. 'This is a research-based university, so what we're doing is an applied AI. Our projects can be published and can be interpreted into the real world and used for problem solving.' Career fairs hosted by the university connected her with industry leaders already seeking to recruit from the graduating class, but she is yet to decide which direction she would like to take. 'The UAE is not just contributing to the global AI movement, but is at the centre stage,' Prof Eric Xing, MBZUAI president, told The National. 'I think that the university had an impact in taking the country into that league. The function of the university is really to make the impossible possible with our hard work and also with minds.' The university's curriculum includes core disciplines like machine learning, computer vision and natural language processing, with research applications in fields such as health care, climate and language technology. It recently announced a five and 10-year plan, including establishing two new colleges – for digital public health and decision science. 'This really entails adding additional disciplines and under the foundation of AI know-how, but addressing real problems in the space of medicine, biology and also operational research and business administrations,' said Prof Xing. In 10 years, the university will look to establish a school of arts and sciences and a school of engineering. Earlier this month, the UAE and US announced plans to build a new five-gigawatt AI Campus in Abu Dhabi during US President Donald Trump's visit. According to the US Department of Commerce and state news agency Wam, the campus will host data centres that allow American tech companies to offer faster AI services to nearly half of the world's population living within 3,200km of the UAE. It will be one of the largest AI centres outside the US, the Department of Commerce said.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed attends MBZUAI 2025 commencement ceremony
28 May 2025 16:27 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has attended the 2025 commencement ceremony of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).The graduating class comprised of 104 students, making it MBZUAI's largest and most diverse cohort to date. The cohort included 13 PhD and 91 master's degree graduates across the university's three specialisations: Computer Vision (CV), Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP).His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated the graduates on their achievement, and honoured several PhD and master's recipients, wishing them continued success in their academic and professional journeys, encouraging them to apply their knowledge and expertise in advancing the nation's development and helping to build an innovation-led, technology-driven economy. Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed attends MBZUAI 2025 commencement ceremony His Highness emphasised the UAE leadership's firm belief that shaping the future begins with knowledge, science, and technological advancement, noting that the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for artificial intelligence research and development by building an integrated ecosystem that places AI in the service of people and society, while reinforcing national leadership in key strategic ceremony was attended by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Chairman of MBZUAI's Board of Trustees, Dr Ahmed Mubarak bin Nawi Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President's Office for Strategic Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs,Sara Awadh Musallam, Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement, Major General Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince, Professor Eric Xing, MBZUAI President and University Professor, Timothy Baldwin, MBZUAI Provost, members of the university faculty, and graduates' year's cohort has 20 Emirati graduates, the highest number since the university's inception, including one PhD graduate in Computer Vision (CV) and nine local female graduates in different AI specialities, underscoring the university's commitment to cultivating homegrown talent to lead artificial intelligence-related from the 2025 class represent 24 countries, including Pakistan, India, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Italy, as well as first-time graduates from Armenia, Bangladesh, Comoros, Dominica, Eritrea, Norway, Serbia, and Uruguay, underscoring the university's growing international reach and its commitment to attracting top global now boasts an expanding alumni network of 316 AI specialists, driving transformation across industries worldwide. Nearly 80 per cent of alumni started working in Abu Dhabi within one year of graduation. As the university expands to offer 13 graduate programmes and launches its first undergraduate programme – a Bachelor of Science in AI with Business and Engineering tracks – it continues its mission to shape the future of AI locally, regionally and internationally. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
MBZUAI Launches Institute of Foundation Models and Establishes Silicon Valley AI Lab
SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has expanded its global footprint with the launch of its Institute of Foundation Models (IFM). The IFM is a multi-site initiative consisting of a newly established Silicon Valley Lab in Sunnyvale, CA, combined with previously announced lab facilities in Paris and Abu Dhabi. The launch event yesterday at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, establishes the third node in its global research network. This strategic expansion connects the university with California's vibrant ecosystem of AI researchers, startups, and tech companies. For the UAE and MBZUAI, this move represents another strategic step in the country's long-term economic diversification plan. By investing in cutting-edge technologies like advanced AI foundation models, the UAE continues to build knowledge-based sectors to support its long-term economic and social transformation efforts. "Today's launch of the IFM represents a major step forward for the collaboration and global development of frontier-class AI foundation models," said Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor, MBZUAI. "Our expansion into Silicon Valley provides a critical footprint to grow our presence in one of the most vibrant AI ecosystems in the world. We're creating pathways for knowledge exchange with leading institutions and accessing a talent pool that understands how to scale research into real-world applications." The launch event drew representatives from the world's leading AI companies and academic institutions, highlighting the growing interest in MBZUAI's global approach to foundation model research. At the heart of MBZUAI's demonstrations was PAN, a world model capable of infinite simulations of diverse realities ranging from basic physical interactions to complex agent scenarios. Unlike previous systems focused primarily on generating text, audio, or images, PAN predicts comprehensive world states by integrating multimodal inputs like language, video, spatial data, and physical actions. This enables advanced reasoning, strategic planning, and nuanced decision-making for applications from autonomous driving to robotics. PAN's innovative hierarchical architecture supports multi-level reasoning and real-time interaction within simulations, maintaining high accuracy over extended scenarios. Its companion, PAN-Agent, showcases its utility in multimodal reasoning tasks, such as mathematics and coding, within dynamic simulated environments. K2 and JAIS: Advanced Foundation Models with Global Impact The IFM lab is also advancing two flagship AI systems demonstrating the commitment to further advance frontier-class foundation models: K2 and JAIS. A soon to be released update to K2-65B will focus on delivering breakthrough reasoning capabilities with sustainable performance. JAIS stands as the world's most advanced Arabic large language model. At the IFM JAIS will continue to expand in capability with increased language support and add more context to preserve and promote the cultures it supports. Building AI in the Open: Transparency as a Core Value MBZUAI has established one of the industry's most transparent approaches to AI development, open-sourcing not just models but entire development processes—positioning IFM as a leader in building openly. The LLM360 initiative provides researchers with complete materials including training code, datasets, and model checkpoints. This openness is balanced with safeguards including international advisory boards and peer review processes that maintain research integrity. The IFM's structure includes dedicated teams focused on model architecture, training methods, evaluation frameworks, and safety systems—combining the agility of a startup with the resources of an established research institution. MBZUAI is a research-focused university in Abu Dhabi, and the first university dedicated entirely to the advancement of science through AI. For more information, visit
