In an effort that highlights the UAE’s commitment to becoming a front-runner in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, the Lakeba Group, the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), DoxAI, and AqlanX have entered into a significant agreement to launch the region’s first Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence.
This initiative, driven by the NextGen FDI program led by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, aims to empower the private sector to contribute to the nation’s vision of advancing its digital landscape by developing local talent, promoting research, and enhancing infrastructure.
“The NextGen FDI Initiative is fostering a vibrant ecosystem that will enable us to realize our national aspirations, enticing top-tier companies and talent to establish their ventures here. The AI Centre of Excellence will play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of AI expertise and supporting the UAE’s endeavors to enhance the economy and future technologies,” stated Dr. Al Zeyoudi.
Enhancing AI sovereignty
The Centre is intended to serve as a key facilitator of the UAE’s AI sovereignty, thereby ensuring that the nation retains control over vital elements of the AI value chain, including data infrastructure, extensive models, and applications suited to local needs.
The focus will be on developing local capabilities, fostering research and development, aiding startups, and generating intellectual property that resonates with the UAE’s cultural, linguistic, and economic vision. Researchers and engineers will be enabled to collaboratively design reliable, secure, and exportable AI solutions, such as Arabic language models and automation systems for sectors like energy, healthcare, and education.
“This endeavor transcends simply enhancing AI capabilities; it is about crafting a self-sufficient digital future that mirrors the UAE’s ambition to responsibly lead in the global AI landscape.”
A multi-disciplinary innovation hub
<p stationed at UOWD, the Centre will function as a base for research, practical innovation, and collaboration with industries. Its core focuses are:
- AI Talent Incubation – fostering integration between students and faculty within AqlanX’s commercial ecosystem.
- Sovereign AI R&D – creating Arabic language models, automation technologies, and edge intelligence.
- IP Commercialization – transitioning new ideas from laboratory research to market implementation.
- Policy & Thought Leadership – establishing standards for ethical AI practices and cybersecurity.
The Centre will additionally serve as the R&D hub for AqlanX, aligning with the UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 and its vision for a digital economy.
Strategic roles and collaborations
The founding partners bring diverse skill sets to the table:
- UOWD anchors the initiative in research, academic excellence, and talent cultivation.
- Lakeba Group brings expertise in venture development and global collaborations with giants like Intel and Microsoft.
- DoxAI offers advanced automation tools and engineering solutions for national needs.
- AqlanX is responsible for driving commercialization, integration, and regional expansion.
“This partnership exemplifies how academia, government, and industry must collaborate—not only to develop AI but to influence the future of humanity,” remarked Giuseppe Porcelli, CEO of Lakeba.
“This Centre represents a crucial milestone for the region’s AI landscape, accelerating innovation by cultivating local talent, indigenous intellectual property, and solutions engineered in the UAE, primed for global deployment. This approach is essential for nations to attain strategic autonomy through AI,” added Demetrio Russo, co-founder and CEO of AqlanX.
Prof. Mohamed Salem, President of UOWD, emphasized, “The AI Centre of Excellence will enrich the UAE’s innovation ecosystem, serving as a platform for opportunities for students, researchers, and industries while delivering lasting benefits for the nation and its citizens.”
The inaugural event is scheduled for November 17, 2025, with prominent government officials, academic leaders, and international tech innovators expected to attend.
This initiative signifies a pivotal shift in the UAE’s journey from being primarily a technology consumer to a pioneer in technological innovation, proposing a new framework for sovereign, reliable, and scalable AI development globally.