The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is a graduate-level research university dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence. Established in Abu Dhabi in 2019 and welcoming its first cohort in 2021, MBZUAI is the world’s first university devoted solely to AI research and education at the postgraduate level.
Mission
MBZUAI was established to advance AI research, develop human capital in artificial intelligence and related fields, and position Abu Dhabi as a global centre for AI innovation. The university offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programmes in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.
Faculty
The university has recruited faculty from leading international research institutions, assembling a team of researchers with publications and citation records in top AI conferences and journals. MBZUAI’s inaugural president was Professor Eric Xing, a prominent AI researcher from Carnegie Mellon University.
Campus
MBZUAI operates from a campus in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s sustainable urban development. The location aligns the university with other technology and sustainability-focused institutions and companies based in Masdar City, including IRENA and various clean technology firms.
Research
The university conducts research across core AI disciplines and their applications. Research areas include deep learning, reinforcement learning, computer vision, natural language processing, healthcare AI, autonomous systems, and AI for science. MBZUAI collaborates with industry partners, government entities, and international academic institutions.
Scholarships
MBZUAI provides full scholarships to all admitted students, covering tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and a monthly stipend. This funding model removes financial barriers to attracting top global talent and reflects the Abu Dhabi government’s willingness to invest heavily in building a world-class AI research institution.
Role in Vision 2030
MBZUAI directly supports the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030’s knowledge economy objectives. The vision calls for developing world-class educational institutions that produce skilled graduates, generate research output, and attract international talent. MBZUAI addresses these objectives in artificial intelligence specifically — a technology domain that Abu Dhabi’s leadership has identified as strategically important for the emirate’s economic future. The university contributes to building the human capital and intellectual infrastructure required for a post-hydrocarbon knowledge economy.