UAE Gets New AI and Robotics Lab by Nvidia and Abu Dhabi

Published: 22 Sep 2025

Author: Precedence Research

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Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute and NVIDIA have jointly launched a new Artificial Intelligence and Robotics lab in the UAE, aiming to focus on establishing next-generation AI models and robotics platforms.  NVIDIA has launched its first AI technology center in the Middle East, collaborating with U.S. companies to leverage their AI models and computing power, supporting the explosive growth of the global artificial intelligence boom. According to the agreement, the institute will be able to utilize specific edge GPU chips that facilitate advancements in robotics research, informed by Mr. Najwa Aaraj, the CEO of TII, who is working to develop robots that are four-legged and humanoid, along with robotic arms.

He further mentioned in the interview, "It will be a chip that we will newly use. It's called the Thor chip, and it is a chip that enables advanced robotic systems development."

TII is the advanced technology research council, fully dedicated as an applied research arm which is a government entity of Abu Dhabi, and it is a major part of the UAE’s conviction to rise as a global AI power. Also, a major oil exporter and renowned Gulf country has been spending billions of dollars in recent years by recognizing the potential of AI and its diverse applications, which help the country become a leader in technology. Thus, they are leveraging their strong relations with the U.S. to secure technology access.

The UAE has already signed a multibillion-dollar deal to develop one of the largest Data Centre hubs in Abu Dhabi by leveraging the U.S. technology and highly advanced chips by NVIDIA, during a Gulf visit by U.S. President Mr. Donald Trump. However, this deal hasn’t been secured yet due to security concerns, given the UAE’s close relations with China. TII has already been closely working with the U.S. company before, which is adding a soft corner to leverage NVIDIA’s most advanced chips that are built to train its own language models.

These discussions for the joint laboratory were started around a year ago. At the same time, the hub will be hosted by both collaborators, giving the same level of rights to explore advanced AI with the potential of Robotics, and more staff will be recruited, specifically with similar expertise in this domain, to excel in this project.