MBZUAI Unveils The Academy as Global Platform Bridging AI, Arts and Society

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has announced the launch of The Academy, a new initiative positioned at the heart of the university’s long-term strategy. The Academy aims to serve as an international meeting point for advanced AI knowledge exchange, fostering dialogue between technology, creativity and the humanities.

The launch was held with the attendance of His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Member of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, as well as Professor Eric Xing, President and University Professor at MBZUAI. The event formed part of the university’s fifth-anniversary celebrations and coincided with the graduation of the sixth MBZUAI Executive Program cohort and the announcement of its pioneering AI x Arts Fellowship.

The first group of eight fellows represents a wide spectrum of global creative practice. Participants include Refik Anadol, a pioneer in large-scale data art; AI-focused filmmaker James Gerde; artist Emi Kusano; and Lachlan Turczan, known for immersive light and water installations. Joining them are Amrita Sethi, the UAE’s first NFT artist, Daniel Ambrosi, whose work visualises neural networks, Emirati cultural innovator Ahmad AlAttar, and curator Giuseppe Moscatello. The fellowship includes two residencies in Abu Dhabi during 2026, designed to connect artists with AI scientists and leading cultural organisations.

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.”

Hosted at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, the event featured previews from MBZUAI’s curated art collections, which explore how scientific progress has been interpreted culturally across history.

The Academy also builds upon the success of the MBZUAI Executive Program, which supports senior decision-makers in applying AI to strategic national challenges. The most recent cohort included 43 leaders from key sectors such as finance, healthcare, energy and policy, with a majority holding senior executive positions. More than 200 leaders have completed the programme since its launch.

The event concluded with a showcase of capstone projects demonstrating real-world impact, including an AI-driven personalised longevity assistant aimed at improving public health outcomes and reducing healthcare expenditure. More regional news is available at https://abudhabi-news.com/.