MBZUAI And World Economic Forum Join To Establish Abu Dhabi Centre For Intelligent Future

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and the World Economic Forum are creating the Abu Dhabi Centre for Intelligent Future under a new cooperation agreement. The centre focuses on artificial intelligence, future industrial change and innovation, and supports global readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution while strengthening the United Arab Emirates’ position as an international technology hub.

The agreement sets a three-year operating period for the centre, with an option to renew. It places the Abu Dhabi Centre for Intelligent Future within the World Economic Forum’s global network of Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The centre will act as a joint platform connecting government, business, academia and civil society stakeholders.

By joining this network, the Abu Dhabi Centre for Intelligent Future aims to design and run initiatives that raise national and regional competitiveness in artificial intelligence. These initiatives will focus on real-world applications that support policy design, responsible deployment and cross-border collaboration, while aligning with international best practice in digital transformation and advanced technology governance.

The partnership supports the UAE’s wider strategy to lead artificial intelligence development and adoption. It reflects the country’s goal to use advanced technologies to support sustainable economic growth and social progress. The agreement also highlights the importance placed on international cooperation, with MBZUAI and the World Economic Forum working together on shared AI priorities.

The Abu Dhabi Centre for Intelligent Future will help develop a connected AI ecosystem by backing scientific research and supporting infrastructure. It will advance governance frameworks for artificial intelligence, speed up the responsible adoption of advanced technologies, and reinforce MBZUAI’s role as a contributor to regional and global competitiveness in this sector.

Knowledge sharing forms a core part of the agreement. Experts from the Abu Dhabi Centre for Intelligent Future will join World Economic Forum fellowship programmes and participate in global projects related to artificial intelligence. The two sides will also release joint research reports and hold specialised sessions and events on the Forum’s international platforms.

The World Economic Forum will integrate the new Abu Dhabi Centre for Intelligent Future into its global artificial intelligence communities and provide access to advanced digital platforms. It will help share the centre’s research and knowledge outputs worldwide. The signing ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Børge Brende and Larry Fink, reflecting multi-level institutional support.

With inputs from WAM