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Innovation and industry
From breakthrough research to real-world impact
Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform industries, strengthen economies, and address some of society’s most pressing challenges. At MBZUAI, innovation is how we translate research and talent into tangible outcomes – from foundation models and scientific discovery to startups, partnerships, and workforce development.
Working across academia, industry, government, and entrepreneurship, we bring together researchers, students, founders, and organizations to accelerate the adoption of AI and unlock new opportunities for growth and impact.
Through our institutes, innovation programs, startup ecosystem, and industry engagement initiatives, we are helping shape the future of AI while creating solutions that benefit communities around the world.
Pioneering the next generation of AI
Institute of Foundation Models (IFM)
With a global footprint, the Institute of Foundation Models (IFM) brings together world-class researchers and engineers to develop sovereign, open, and high-performing AI systems.
Through its high-profile models including K2, K2 Think, Pan World Model, and Jais, the IFM’s work spans advanced reasoning, agentic systems, world models, open-source AI, and Arabic-language technologies – producing research and platforms that help define the future of intelligence.
AI for global food security
Institute for Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (IAAI)
The Institute for Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (IAAI) brings together governments, NGOs, researchers, and international partners to apply AI in support of millions of smallholder farmers around the world.
Launched in collaboration with the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and the Gates Foundation, the institute develops AI-powered advisory systems, open agricultural datasets, and training programs designed to improve agricultural productivity, resilience, and food security.
Turning ideas into companies
Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC)
Innovation extends beyond research. Through the Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC), MBZUAI helps students, faculty, researchers, and alumni transform AI expertise into successful ventures.
The IEC provides entrepreneurship education, mentorship, industry connections, founder programs, and access to investors and global innovation ecosystems. From first ideas to scaling companies, it supports founders at every stage of their journey.
Building the next generation of AI companies
Startup showcase
MBZUAI's entrepreneurial community is creating companies that address real-world challenges while advancing the frontiers of artificial intelligence.
From pioneering biotechnology platforms and advanced media technologies to enterprise AI applications and industry-specific solutions, our founders are demonstrating how research can become products, services, and businesses with global reach.
Connecting talent with opportunity
Career Services and Internships
Preparing future AI leaders requires more than academic excellence. Our Career Services and Internships team supports students throughout their academic journey, helping them develop the skills, experiences, and professional networks needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving AI economy.
Through collaborations with leading organizations in the UAE and around the world, we help connect exceptional talent with opportunities where they can create meaningful impact.
Partner with us
Organizations around the world work with MBZUAI to advance research, develop talent, solve complex challenges, and accelerate AI adoption.
Whether through collaborative research, innovation programs, startup engagement, executive education, internships, or strategic partnerships, we help organizations access world-class AI expertise and connect with one of the world's most diverse AI communities.
Talent development, community, awareness, and social impact
National Engagement and Outreach (NEO)
National Engagement and Outreach (NEO) connects MBZUAI with communiites, partners, and institutions across the UAE.
Bringing together outreach, national development programs such as MAILIS, protocol affairs, diplomatic affairs, government affairs, and alumni, our NEO team delivers high impact AI-driven initiatives across priority sectors.
