The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in the UAE announced on Monday that it has launched a joint research lab with NVIDIA in Abu Dhabi, focusing on developing next-generation artificial intelligence models and robotics platforms.
In a statement, the institute said this marks NVIDIA’s first AI technology center in the Middle East, combining its interdisciplinary research with the U.S. company’s computing power and AI expertise to contribute to the global boom in the sector.
Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, explained that under the agreement, the institute will gain access to specific NVIDIA GPU chips to advance its robotics research, among other fields. She highlighted the use of NVIDIA’s Thor chip, which enables the development of advanced robotic systems, including humanoid robots, quadrupeds, and robotic arms.
Aaraj added that TII has been closely collaborating with NVIDIA for some time, using its GPUs to train proprietary large language models. Discussions about establishing the joint lab began roughly a year ago. The new center will host teams from both sides, with additional staff to be recruited specifically for the project.
TII serves as the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), a government entity. The initiative is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to become a global AI leader, with the Gulf nation investing billions of dollars in recent years while leveraging its strong ties with the United States to gain access to cutting-edge technology.
