Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is a graduate-level, research-focused institution established in 2019 and based in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. The university is dedicated entirely to education and research in artificial intelligence, offering Master's and Ph.D. programs alongside undergraduate studies across multiple AI-related disciplines. Its inaugural cohort, which began in January 2021, drew students from 29 countries.
The university operates several specialized research institutes, including the Institute of Foundation Models (IFM), which focuses on building, understanding, deploying, and risk-managing large-scale AI systems. Research activities span computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, computational biology, and foundation models. MBZUAI combines rigorous academic training with practical industry applications, positioning its programmes to prepare graduates for leadership roles in AI development and deployment.
Led by President and University Professor Eric Xing, MBZUAI was founded with a mandate to accelerate AI capabilities development and position the region as a global leader in emerging technologies. The institution has earned recognition among the world's top 10 AI universities based on research credentials.
