Abu Dhabi’s TII and NVIDIA launch Middle East’s first joint AI and robotics research lab
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has partnered with NVIDIA, a global leader in accelerated computing and AI, to establish the Middle East’s first joint lab dedicated to artificial intelligence and robotics. The TII-NVAITC (NVIDIA AI Technology Center) Joint Lab will serve as a pioneering hub for the development of next-generation AI models, robotics platforms, and humanoid technologies.
The announcement was made at a signing ceremony held at TII’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The agreement was signed by Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, and Marc Domenech, Regional Director, Enterprise – META Region at NVIDIA. Senior representatives from ATRC and NVIDIA, including H.E. Shahab Abu Shahab, H.E. Abdulaziz Al Dosari, John Josephakis, and Simon See, attended the event, marking a milestone in the UAE’s AI and robotics journey.
Driving AI-enhanced robotics
Dr. Aaraj emphasized the strategic significance of the collaboration:
“This collaboration with NVIDIA marks a major step toward building AI-enhanced robotic systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and acting in complex environments. By combining our advanced robotic platforms with powerful AI models and compute, we are accelerating the convergence of perception, control, and language – laying the foundation for a new era of intelligent machines.”
The lab will integrate NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platforms with TII’s multidisciplinary research in AI, robotics, autonomous systems, and high-performance computing. It will focus on developing intelligent systems with real-world applications, including embodied AI models, state-of-the-art robotics and humanoid platforms, and hardware optimized for real-time operations. Research areas will include robotic learning and control, as well as the integration of large language models, including TII’s Falcon family of AI models, which are among the Middle East’s largest.
Expanding the NVAITC network
Carlo Ruiz, Vice President – Enterprise Solutions & Operations EMEA at NVIDIA, stated:
“The launch of the TII-NVAITC for AI and Robotics marks a new chapter in our global NVAITC network. By working with TII in Abu Dhabi, we are expanding the scope of these centers into robotics for the first time in the Middle East – helping researchers and innovators accelerate breakthroughs that will shape the future of intelligent systems.”
The lab reinforces TII’s broader strategy to advance applied AI and robotics with tangible real-world impact. Emphasizing open innovation and global knowledge exchange, the collaboration will include joint research projects, open-source initiatives, and cross-network learning through the global NVAITC community. The lab will also build on TII’s modular robotic platforms, including robotic arms and delivery robots, prioritizing research that combines technical excellence with practical deployment readiness.
By establishing the Middle East’s first joint AI and robotics lab, TII and NVIDIA aim to position Abu Dhabi at the forefront of intelligent autonomous systems while contributing to the UAE’s growing global role in AI and robotics innovation.
