IBM and MBZUAI join forces to advance AI research with new center of excellence

Collaboration will focus on three key pillars: Natural Language Processing (NLP) including Arabic, AI applications in the healthcare industry, and sustainability

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)—the world's first graduate, research university dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI)—has announced plans for a strategic collaboration with IBM (NYSE: IBM). Senior leaders from both organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at advancing fundamental AI research, as well as accelerating the types of scientific breakthroughs that could unlock the potential of AI to help solve some of humanity's greatest challenges. 

Professor Eric Xing, President of MBZUAI, delivered short remarks, as did Jonathan Adashek, IBM's Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, and Saad Toma, General Manager, IBM Middle East, and Africa. The agreement was then signed by Sultan Al Hajji, Vice President for Public Affairs and Alumni Relations at MBZUAI and Wael Abdoush, General Manager IBM Gulf and Levant.

"We're excited to to be among the first research universities in the MENA region to host a Center of Excellence for AI research and development with technology and expertise from a world-leading technological giant like IBM. This center will provide highly valuable resource and collaborative environment to our faculty and students to broaden their work in AI. IBM has a long history of technological innovation, and we look forward to joining their latest efforts in our region and together advance AI technology and commercialization for mutual good," MBZUAI President, Professor Eric Xing said.

Saad Toma, General Manager, IBM Middle East and Africa, said: "This collaboration will help drive innovations in AI which is critical for the future of business and society. We're bringing together some of the brightest minds across both the industry and academia, while reinforcing IBM's commitment to promoting knowledge and skills in critical areas for the UAE's development, where the use of technologies like AI is fundamental."

Central to the collaboration is the establishment of a new AI Center of Excellence to be based at the university's Masdar City campus. The Center will leverage the talents of IBM researchers, in collaboration with MBZUAI faculty and students, and will focus on the advancement of both fundamental and applied research objectives.