Abu Dhabi's TII And NVIDIA Launch Pioneering AI And Robotics Research Lab In The Middle East

Abu Dhabi has taken a significant leap in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics with the establishment of the Middle East's first Joint Lab for AI and Robotics.

This venture is the result of a partnership between the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and NVIDIA, a global leader in AI and accelerated computing.

The formalisation of this partnership took place at TII's headquarters in Abu Dhabi, where senior officials from both entities convened for a signing ceremony. Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, and Marc Domenech, NVIDIA's Regional Director for the Enterprise – META Region, inked the agreement.

The TII-NVAITC (NVIDIA AI Technology Center) Joint Lab is set to become a cornerstone for AI and robotics research in the Middle East. By integrating NVIDIA's cutting-edge computing platforms and expertise with TII's multidisciplinary research, the lab will focus on accelerating the development of intelligent systems.

These systems will have practical real-world applications, pushing the boundaries of Physical AI through advanced AI models, state-of-the-art robotics, and hardware designed for real-time operations. The lab's research will encompass robotic learning, control at a large scale, and the integration of large language models, including TII's Falcon family of AI models, which boasts the first and largest AI models in the Middle East.

"This collaboration with NVIDIA marks a major step toward building AI-enhanced robotic systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and acting in complex environments," said Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII. "By combining our advanced robotic platforms with powerful AI models and compute, we are accelerating the convergence of perception, control, and language – laying the foundation for a new era of intelligent machines."

The establishment of the TII-NVAITC Joint Lab for AI and Robotics signifies a strategic move by Abu Dhabi to solidify its position at the forefront of applied AI. This initiative aligns with the emirate's vision of achieving technological sovereignty and shaping the future of intelligent autonomous systems.

It also highlights the UAE's commitment to becoming a global AI and Robotics leader, as evidenced by the recent US–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership. This collaboration positions the UAE as a key player in the global robotics ecosystem during a period of rapid advancements in AI capabilities.

The new lab is a key component of TII's broader strategy to advance applied AI and robotics that have a tangible impact on the real world. It underscores a commitment to open innovation and global knowledge exchange, enabling TII and NVIDIA to collaborate on research, open-source initiatives, and cross-network learning. The lab's focus will include enhancing TII's existing robotic platforms and components, such as robotic arms and delivery dogs, ensuring research remains grounded in technical superiority and practical application.

"The launch of the TII-NVAITC for AI and Robotics marks a new chapter in our global NVAITC network. By working with TII in Abu Dhabi, we are expanding the scope of these centers into robotics for the first time in the Middle East - helping researchers and innovators accelerate breakthroughs that will shape the future of intelligent systems," stated Carlo Ruiz, vice-president - Enterprise Solutions & Operations EMEA at NVIDIA.