Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has marked a significant expansion of its mission with the launch of The Academy, a new platform designed to foster global discussion on artificial intelligence and its cultural, social and ethical dimensions.
The announcement was made 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, and Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI. The launch aligned with the university’s five-year anniversary, the graduation of the sixth MBZUAI Executive Program cohort and the introduction of its first AI x Arts Fellowship.
Eight global creatives and technologists form the fellowship’s inaugural cohort, including Refik Anadol, James Gerde, Emi Kusano and Lachlan Turczan. They are joined by Amrita Sethi, Daniel Ambrosi, Ahmad AlAttar and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. Two residency programmes scheduled for 2026 will connect fellows with AI researchers and major cultural institutions across Abu Dhabi.
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 held at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, where guests viewed works from MBZUAI’s collections documenting the evolution of scientific thought through art.
A central pillar of The Academy is the MBZUAI Executive Program, which empowers senior government and business leaders to deploy AI in support of national strategies. The latest cohort included 43 leaders from sectors including healthcare, finance, energy and policy, with more than two-thirds holding senior executive roles.
The event also showcased applied innovation through the presentation of Leading Capstone Projects, including an AI-driven personalised longevity companion aimed at improving health outcomes while reducing healthcare spending. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.
