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Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has launched “The Academy,” a strategic platform designed to facilitate global dialogue and knowledge exchange in artificial intelligence while bringing together leading minds to reimagine the future of AI and humanities. The Abu Dhabi-based institution announced the initiative on February 9, 2026, alongside the unveiling of its first fellowship program merging artificial intelligence and the arts.
According to the university, the announcement took place in the presence of His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and member of the university’s Board of Trustees, and Professor Eric Xing, President of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. The event also marked the graduation of the sixth cohort from the university’s Executive Program.
Artificial Intelligence and Arts Fellowship Brings Together Global Talent
The inaugural fellowship cohort comprises eight international artists with diverse perspectives, the university stated. Notable participants include Refik Anadol, a pioneer in big data visualization, and James Gurdi, a filmmaker specializing in AI-enhanced narratives. Additionally, the program welcomes Amy Karle, a multidisciplinary artist, and Lalchan Turkzan, a wave physics researcher.
The fellowship also includes Amrita Sethi, an NFT creator and the first artist-in-residence in the United Arab Emirates, according to the announcement. Joining them are Daniel Ambrosi, who specializes in neural network-based landscapes, Ahmed Al Attar, the first Emirati to integrate artificial intelligence with cultural heritage, and Giuseppe Moscatiello, an art curator.
Residency Programs Foster Cross-Disciplinary Innovation
Fellows will participate in two artistic residency programs in Abu Dhabi throughout 2026, the university confirmed. These programs aim to bring artists and AI scientists together in shared creative spaces to reimagine conceptual frameworks for a world increasingly shaped by technology. Furthermore, the initiative seeks to build active connections with prominent museums and cultural platforms in the emirate.
Spring Fu, Executive Director of The Academy at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, said the launch reflects the institution’s mission to move artificial intelligence from laboratories into the heart of society. By gathering elite global minds—from artists participating in the AI and arts fellowship to leaders enrolled in executive programs—the university aspires to contribute to broader global narratives that elevate international dialogue beyond technology to purpose and impact, she noted.
Executive Program Empowers Leaders in AI Implementation
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence Executive Program serves as one of The Academy’s foundational pillars, according to the institution. The 16-week program enables government and business leaders in the UAE to deploy artificial intelligence in service of national priorities. The sixth cohort brings together 34 leaders from senior positions across energy, healthcare, finance, and public policy sectors.
More than two-thirds of participants hold high-level executive positions, including ministry undersecretaries, chief executive officers, and vice chairmen of boards of directors, the university reported. Since its launch, the program has trained over 200 leaders by equipping them with the knowledge and technical foundations necessary to adopt and effectively implement artificial intelligence solutions in the Emirates.
The launch ceremony took place at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation and featured artworks from private collections and the university’s art collection. These works document the evolution of scientific knowledge throughout history and its cultural interpretation through artistic practice, according to event organizers.
The university has not announced specific timelines for future fellowship cohorts or expansion plans for The Academy’s programming. However, the initiative positions Abu Dhabi as an emerging hub in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem, particularly at the intersection of technology and creative disciplines.
