The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s ATRC, has joined forces with NVIDIA to launch the Middle East’s first NVAITC Joint Lab dedicated to both artificial intelligence and robotics.
This landmark collaboration for NVAITC Joint Lab establishes a first-of-its-kind hub in the region for developing next-generation AI models, robotics platforms, and humanoid technologies that will accelerate innovation across industries.
The agreement to launch the NVIDIA AI Technology Center (TII-NVAITC Joint Lab) was signed by Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII and Marc Domenech, Regional Director, Enterprise – META Region at NVIDIA.
The collaboration places Abu Dhabi at the forefront of applied AI, aligning with the emirate’s long-term strategy to advance technological sovereignty and shape the future of intelligent autonomous systems.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and NVIDIA have launched the Middle East’s first joint NVAITC AI and Robotics Lab.
This strategic initiative creates a powerful ecosystem for advancing Generative AI models, embodied AI and robotics. pic.twitter.com/XQiewxPLbE
It also underscores the UAE’s growing role as a global AI and Robotics leader, highlighted by the recent US–UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, and positions the country as a major contributor to the global robotics ecosystem at a time when AI capabilities are rapidly evolving.
Dr. Najwa Aaraj CEO – TII
“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 TII-NVAITC Joint Lab will integrate NVIDIA accelerated computing platforms and expertise with TII’s multidisciplinary research in AI, robotics, autonomous systems, and high-performance computing. It is the first NVAITC lab established in the Middle East, marking a significant milestone for the region.
Together, the two organizations will accelerate the development of intelligent systems with real-world applications, advancing the field of Physical AI through embodied AI models, state-of-the-art robotics and humanoid stacks, and hardware designed for real-time robotic systems.
Research will span robotic learning and control at scale, as well as the development and integration of large language models, including TII’s Falcon family of AI models, among them the Middle East’s first and largest AI models.
“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,” said Carlo Ruiz, Vice President – Enterprise Solutions & Operations EMEA at NVIDIA.
