The Technology Innovation Institute, the applied research arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, has announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi Advanced Technology Center. This facility will serve as a new hub within a global network dedicated to the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The signing ceremony was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chair of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and a member of the World Economic Forum leadership council, Borg Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, Larry Fink, Chairman of BlackRock, and the interim co-chair of the World Economic Forum Board.
The center aims to lead qualitative achievements in advanced research and development, shape global policies for emerging technologies, and enhance international cooperation that transforms innovation from research concepts into practical solutions, leveraging the UAE’s role as a leading destination for testing innovations.
With its flexible regulatory framework and effective integration between research, decision-making, and implementation, the UAE offers an exceptional platform for testing, deploying, and scaling emerging technologies nationally. This advantage is expected to grow through the World Economic Forum’s global Fourth Industrial Revolution centers network.
Additionally, the new center positions Abu Dhabi at the forefront of global advanced technology research, focusing on quantum computing, robotics, payment systems, space technologies, and related artificial intelligence applications. Through this strategic partnership, the Technology Innovation Institute joins a globally interconnected innovation ecosystem aimed at accelerating the responsible adoption of transformative technologies.
Dr. Najwa Al-Araj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute, stated that as advanced technology evolves rapidly, there is a simultaneous need and opportunity to guide its use responsibly and effectively. The center offers an integrated platform that combines excellence in scientific research with leadership in policy-making and international cooperation, broadening the horizons of R&D in advanced technology and converting scientific discoveries into impactful real-world applications. By translating innovation into scalable solutions governed by responsible frameworks, Abu Dhabi’s role as a global hub for science and innovation is solidified.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, noted that the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Advanced Technology Center enhances the capacity of the global Fourth Industrial Revolution centers network to contribute to shaping the global technology agenda. He emphasized that bringing world-class research capabilities to this network would support various sectors in turning innovation into practical, responsible solutions that foster inclusivity and sustainability while building trust in technology.
With the announcement of this new center, Abu Dhabi affirms the UAE’s position within the global Fourth Industrial Revolution centers network, joining a distinguished group that includes centers from the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and India.
Jeremy Jurgens reiterated that the inclusion of the Abu Dhabi Advanced Technology Center bolsters the ability of the global Fourth Industrial Revolution centers network to guide the global technology agenda. By integrating high-level research capabilities into the network, the center will empower various sectors to translate innovation into responsible and practical solutions that promote inclusivity, sustainability, and trust in technology.
The center aims to broaden the research and development landscape for critically important advanced technologies, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s intellectual leadership through pilot projects, regulatory testing environments, and international forums. Moreover, the center acts as a strategic platform and an engine for innovation, contributing to the responsible adoption of modern technologies and solidifying the UAE’s presence on the global stage in the fields of science and innovation.