Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has launched The Academy, marking a new phase in its ambition to place artificial intelligence at the centre of cultural, societal and intellectual exchange. Designed as a global platform, The Academy will convene leading minds to explore how AI shapes, and is shaped by, the humanities.
The unveiling was held with His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Member of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, in attendance alongside Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI. The announcement aligned with MBZUAI’s five-year milestone celebrations and the graduation of the sixth cohort of its Executive Program, as well as the debut of the AI x Arts Fellowship.
The first fellowship cohort brings together eight internationally recognised practitioners, including Refik Anadol, filmmaker James Gerde, artist Emi Kusano and immersive installation artist Lachlan Turczan. They are joined by Amrita Sethi, Daniel Ambrosi, Ahmad AlAttar and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. The fellows will participate in two residencies in Abu Dhabi in 2026, working alongside AI scientists and engaging with cultural platforms across the emirate.
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.”
Held at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, the launch event offered guests a preview of artworks from MBZUAI’s collections, showcasing how scientific discovery has historically been interpreted through art.
The Academy builds upon the MBZUAI Executive Program, which equips senior leaders with the knowledge required to deploy AI in support of national development. The most recent cohort included 43 senior participants from critical sectors such as healthcare, finance, energy and governance, with more than two-thirds occupying executive leadership roles. Since its inception, the programme has trained more than 200 leaders.
Capstone projects presented at the event included an AI-powered personalised longevity companion designed to enhance public health outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare expenditure. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.
