Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has formally launched The Academy, introducing a new institutional platform focused on bridging advanced AI research with culture, creativity and public discourse. The Academy is intended to act as a global hub for interdisciplinary exchange and knowledge sharing.
The launch ceremony was attended by His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Member of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, along with Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI. The announcement formed part of the university’s five-year anniversary and coincided with the graduation of the sixth cohort of the MBZUAI Executive Program and the introduction of the AI x Arts Fellowship.
The fellowship’s first group includes eight global creatives, among them Refik Anadol, James Gerde, Emi Kusano and Lachlan Turczan. Also participating are Amrita Sethi, Daniel Ambrosi, Ahmad AlAttar and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. Two residency programmes in Abu Dhabi during 2026 will connect these fellows with AI researchers and leading 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 event was hosted at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, where attendees explored selected pieces from the university’s art collections that chart the cultural interpretation of scientific progress.
The Academy also encompasses the MBZUAI Executive Program, a 16-week initiative designed to help senior leaders apply AI across national priorities. The latest cohort included 43 leaders from energy, healthcare, finance and policy sectors, with over two-thirds holding senior executive positions. In total, more than 200 leaders have completed the programme.
The launch concluded with a showcase of Leading Capstone Projects, including an AI-driven personalised longevity assistant aimed at improving health outcomes while reducing healthcare costs in Abu Dhabi. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.
