Dubai: The Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi and Nvidia have launched a joint lab in the United Arab Emirates to focus on developing next-generation AI models and robotics platforms, TII said on Monday.
The collaborative research hub is the first NVIDIA AI technology center in the Middle East, TII said in a statement that it combines interdisciplinary research with AI models and computing power from US companies to drive a global artificial intelligence boom.
Under the agreement, the lab can use certain edge GPU chips to advance research into robotics within other fields, said Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, who works on humanoids, four-legged robots and robot arms.
“It will be the new chip we use… it is called a tall chip, a chip that allows for advanced robotic systems development,” Aaraj said in an interview.
UAE launches Arabic AI model as Gulf races gather pace
TII is the applied research division of Advanced Technology Research Council, an Abu Dhabi government agency that is part of the UAE's efforts to become a global AI player.
The Gulf countries, a major oil exporter, have spent billions of dollars on AI pushes in recent years, and are trying to leverage their strong ties with the US to ensure access to technology.
During US President Donald Trump's Gulf visit in May, the UAE signed a multi-billion dollar deal and built one of the world's largest data center hubs in Abu Dhabi using US technology, including the most advanced Nvidia chips.
However, due to close ties between the UAE and China, the deal has not been finalized amid security concerns, Reuters reported previously cited.
TII has been working closely with US companies for some time, Aaraj added that TII is using Nvidia chips to train its own language model.
The joint lab discussion began about a year ago, with the hub hosting a team of both parties, Aaraj said more staff would be hired specifically for the project.
