Key points
- Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and Nvidia established a joint AI research lab in the UAE.
- This is Nvidia’s first AI Technology Center in the Middle East.
- The lab will focus on developing next-generation AI models and robotics platforms. TII will utilize Nvidia’s Thor chip for advanced robotics research.
- The collaboration signifies the UAE’s continued investment in becoming a global AI leader.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, and technology giant Nvidia have announced a groundbreaking partnership. The two entities have jointly launched a cutting-edge AI research lab in the United Arab Emirates, marking Nvidia’s first AI Technology Center in the Middle East.
This collaborative effort will focus on developing advanced artificial intelligence models and sophisticated robotics platforms, pushing the boundaries of technological innovation.
The new research hub will leverage TII’s multidisciplinary expertise and Nvidia’s powerful AI models and computing capabilities, currently driving a global surge in AI advancements. A key element of the collaboration involves TII’s access to Nvidia’s specialized Thor GPU chips.
According to Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, these chips will be instrumental in accelerating research and development in robotics, specifically supporting TII’s ongoing projects involving humanoid robots, quadrupeds, and robotic arms. Aaraj highlighted the Thor chip’s crucial role in enabling the development of highly advanced robotic systems.
This initiative underscores the UAE’s ambitious strategy to become a leading player in the global AI landscape. The nation has invested heavily in AI research and development in recent years, strategically leveraging its strong relationship with the United States to secure access to advanced technologies.
The partnership with Nvidia builds upon a pre-existing collaboration; TII has already been employing Nvidia’s chips in the training of its own language models.
Discussions for the joint lab commenced approximately a year ago. The newly established facility will host teams from both TII and Nvidia, with further staffing planned specifically for this project. The collaboration signifies a significant step towards realizing the UAE’s vision of a technologically advanced future and solidifies its position as a hub for AI innovation in the Middle East.
