Renowned professor to lead Abu Dhabi's pioneering artificial intelligence university

Prof Eric Xing becomes president of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence

The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi in October 2019. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National

From left to right Peng Xiao, Professor Daniela Rus, Professor Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, Professor Sir Michael Brady, Professor Anil K Jain and Dr Kai-Fu Lee at the launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence.

The first classes were scheduled to begin in September 2020 but have now been postponed to January 2021.

As the first university to have a singular focus on AI, the institution aims to attract students from around the world to advance the technology and propel the UAE’s economic diversification efforts.

At the launch, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said the "invention of electricity, the railroad, smartphones all transformed the world as we knew it. AI can lead to an ever-greater societal and economic transformation."

Omar Al Olama, the UAE's Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence at the launch of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Falasi, Minister of Higher Education.

AI is expected to add 14 per cent to the world’s gross domestic product by 2030, equivalent to $15.7 trillion (Dh57.7tn), according to business consultancy PwC.

The UAE ranks 19th worldwide on the government AI readiness index, first in the region, according to Oxford Insights.

With the opening of MBZUAI, AI research will be both common and local in the UAE.

Professor Sir Michael Brady and Dr Sultan Al Jaber.

The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.

The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.

L-R Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Falasi and Omar Al Olama.

The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.

The launch of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial intelligence at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.

The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) appointed a world-renowned computer science professor as its president.

Eric Xing is an academic specialising in machine learning at Carnegie Mellon University, a private research university in the United States.

His research encompasses how automated learning can be used to solve complex problems in reasoning and decision-making.

Prof Xing's appointment came as the Abu Dhabi university – the world's first dedicated to artificial intelligence – prepares for its first batch of graduate students in January.

"It is a privilege to have this opportunity to lead such a ground-breaking establishment, and to do so in the UAE, a country that has made AI a strategic national priority," said Prof Xing, who was born in Shanghai, China.

"As president of MBZUAI, my vision is to build and enable a generation of leaders who have the necessary understanding, expertise and skills to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence through academic research and industry applications," he said.

“Artificial intelligence is one of the most transformational technologies of our time, with the potential to have an immeasurable positive impact on economies, industries, and society.

“We are determined to make the UAE a hub for the international AI community."

Prof Xing holds a doctorate in molecular biology from Rutgers University, and a PhD in computer science from UC Berkeley, a public research university.

He has served as visiting associate professor at Stanford University and a visiting research professor at Facebook.

The MBZUAI was accredited by the UAE academic authority in March.

The university, in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, will offer Master of Science and PhD-level programmes.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chairman of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, said the university was excited to welcome Prof Xing.

"He is one of the world's foremost academics in the field of artificial intelligence and an exceptional business leader who understands its practical application."

Prof Xing will take the reins from interim president, Prof Michael Brady.

The university will focus on building the capabilities of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, and is open to researchers and innovators from across the world.

MBZUAI will provide all admitted students with a full scholarship, plus benefits such as a monthly allowance, health insurance and accommodation.