Office of the President

MBZUAI’s Institute of Foundation Models (IFM) is a multi-site initiative dedicated to pioneering academic research at the forefront of Generative AI. With lab facilities in Abu Dhabi, Silicon Valley, and Paris, the IFM is a hub for fundamental research – channelling the University’s expertise into developing powerful foundation models such as GPTs for linguistic, visual, and biological data. These models have the potential to revolutionize industries such as healthcare, climate change, and sustainability while simultaneously advancing AI innovation. 

Our models include PAN – a world model capable of infinite simulations of diverse realities ranging from basic physical interactions to complex agent scenarios; JAIS – the world’s most advanced Arabic large language model; K2-65B – which is delivering breakthrough reasoning capabilities with sustainable performance; and many other LLMs, specialized models, and collaborative platforms.

AI is transforming healthcare by enabling faster diagnostics, deeper biological insights, and personalized treatment. In computational biology, AI accelerates projects like the Human Protein Project (HPP) by mapping protein functions and disease pathways, helping researchers develop targeted therapies with greater precision.

Diagnostic tools like AIDO integrate AI with imaging technologies to enhance accuracy in detecting cancers, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions. AI also supports large-scale data analysis in GET (Genomics, Environment, and Traits) studies, revealing how genetic and environmental factors shape individual health outcomes.

Following the UAE’s successful hosting of COP28 in 2023, MBZUAI has been exploring ways for AI to contribute positively to the nation’s sustainability goals and position it as a global technology leader in AI-enabled decarbonization and climate mitigation.

Alongside partners such as IBM, UNDP, and the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, we are focusing our research on issues such as the urban heat island (UHI) effect in desert and hot environments; malaria prediction and planning; farmer-centered AI-based weather forecasting; and cloud seeding using remote sensing and machine learning. We are also working on AI for managing clean energy infrastructure and supporting marine conservation.

Our robotics research at MBZUAI centers around developing the world’s first ‘Universal Physical Intelligence’ – a robot brain that will allows physical machines to sense the ever-changing world around it, respond and interact safely and intelligently, and learn from its experience.  

This breakthrough will turn today’s simple manufacturing, surgery, or home-based machines into everyday helpers and productive tools, transforming every industry of today and the future. This breakthrough capability will enable position the UAE as a leading global player in a robotics market that is exponentially growing.