Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has announced the launch of The Academy, introducing a new institutional platform designed to connect advanced AI research with broader cultural, artistic and societal conversations. Positioned as a central pillar of the university’s strategy, The Academy aims to foster global dialogue at the intersection of technology and the humanities.
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, together with Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI. The announcement coincided with the university’s five-year anniversary celebrations and marked the graduation of the sixth cohort of the MBZUAI Executive Program (MEP), alongside the introduction of its first AI x Arts Fellowship.
The fellowship’s inaugural group includes eight internationally recognised creatives and thinkers, among them data artist Refik Anadol, AI-driven filmmaker James Gerde, multidisciplinary artist Emi Kusano and water and light artist Lachlan Turczan. The cohort also features Amrita Sethi, the UAE’s first NFT artist, neural network landscape artist Daniel Ambrosi, Emirati cultural innovator Ahmad AlAttar and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. In 2026, the fellows will take part in two Abu Dhabi residencies designed to bring artists and AI researchers together in collaboration with major 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 launch event was hosted at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, where attendees viewed selected works from MBZUAI’s special and permanent art collections documenting the evolution of scientific knowledge through artistic practice.
As a cornerstone of The Academy, the MBZUAI Executive Program continues to support senior government and business leaders in applying AI to national priorities. The latest 16-week programme included 43 leaders from sectors such as healthcare, energy, finance and public policy, with more than two-thirds holding senior executive roles. More than 200 leaders have completed the programme to date.
The event also highlighted applied innovation through Leading Capstone Projects, including an AI-powered personalised longevity companion aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs in Abu Dhabi. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.
