The UAE has taken a significant step toward strengthening its national AI capabilities with the launch of the AI Centre of Excellence, a first-of-its-kind initiative created by Lakeba Group, DoxAI, AqlanX, and the University of Wollongong in Dubai UOWD. Situated at UOWD's campus in Dubai Knowledge Park, the Centre is designed to serve as the core engine of the UAE's sovereign AI strategy, uniting research, innovation, and commercialization to develop and export AI technologies built in the Emirates.
The inauguration drew several distinguished guests, including John M Green, Chairman of UOW Global Enterprises Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of TECOM Group Ahmed Hamzawy, Chief Partnership Officer at Microsoft UAE and senior representatives from the Australian Government and the New South Wales trade mission. Their presence underscored the Centre's expected impact on the UAE's future technology landscape.
The Centre aims to accelerate the UAE's journey toward technological independence by advancing projects such as Arabic Large Language Models, real-time AI decision engines, and sovereign AI cybersecurity systems. Lakeba Group Founder and CEO Giuseppe Porcelli described the launch as a clear statement that the UAE intends to lead in building sovereign AI systems with global influence. UOWD President Professor Mohamed Salem added that the Centre will empower students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to create solutions for global challenges through collaboration and innovation.
