The new AI centre is anticipated to address climate change by developing carbon-neutral alternatives to current energy sources and advancing natural language processing for the Arabic dialect to address civic, social, and business challenges

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MBZUAI establishes AI centre of excellence with IBM. (Credit: IBM)

Abu Dhabi-based Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has established an artificial intelligence (AI) centre of excellence in partnership with IBM.

The new AI centre is expected to further bolster the partnership to enhance the adoption of AI technology and power sustainability.

The AI centre is anticipated to address climate change by developing carbon-neutral alternatives to current energy sources and advancing natural language processing (NLP) for the Arabic dialect.

It is expected to make AI more accessible and flexible for Arabic speakers.

Besides, the improvisation of NLP capabilities is anticipated to help to address civic, social, and business challenges along with offering practical applications like personalised customer care, improved search, AI-powered assistants, fraud detection and others.

The hub will leverage the talents of IBM researchers, who are experts in data science, machine learning and NLP, in partnership with MBZUAI’s faculty and students. It will focus on advancing fundamental as well as applied research objectives.

The collaboration between MBZUAI and IBM to advance fundamental AI research was announced in May 2022.

UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and MBZUAI chairman Sultan Al Jaber said: “The only way to Net Zero is through disruptive technologies and innovations that fundamentally re-program our energy production and consumption – harnessing big data to help drive more effective decision-making and problem-solving.

“In line with the vision of our leadership to benefit from the most advanced technological innovations, we are delighted to launch the Center of Excellence.

“This partnership between MBZUAI and IBM underscores the commitment of both organisations to develop AI solutions that work for the benefit of humanity.”

Through the partnership, IBM and MBZUAI experts aim to focus on decarbonisation with advanced research into climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The joint research teams are expected to develop foundational AI models, which could guide the deployment of clean and renewable energy in the electrification of various sectors across the economy.

IBM chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna said: “IBM’s collaboration with MBZUAI will leverage AI to address some of the most pressing issues of our time including sustainability and net zero strategies.

“The new Center of Excellence will also develop local digital skills and attract leading researchers that will help deliver the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031.”