Gulf’s First AI Centre of Excellence Launches to Boost Innovation
▼ Summary
– The Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, the first of its kind in the region, has been established in Abu Dhabi through a strategic agreement between Lakeba Group, UOWD, DoxAI, and AqlanX.
– It is governed by the University of Wollongong’s Australian leadership and utilizes Australian intellectual property and R&D frameworks, highlighting strong UAE-Australia cooperation.
– The Centre aims to develop sovereign AI capabilities by building local talent, research, and infrastructure, including Arabic LLMs and tools for sectors like energy and healthcare.
– Key functions include AI talent incubation, sovereign R&D, IP commercialization, and policy leadership, aligning with the UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 and Digital Economy Vision.
– Partners contribute distinct roles: UOWD provides academic foundations, Lakeba offers venture-building and tech partnerships, DoxAI brings automation tools, and AqlanX leads commercialization and scale-up.
A landmark partnership has established the Gulf region’s first Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, marking a major step in the United Arab Emirates’ strategy to become a global leader in sovereign AI technology. Lakeba Group, the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), DoxAI, and AqlanX have joined forces in this strategic initiative, which is headquartered in Abu Dhabi. The project will be governed by the University of Wollongong’s Australian leadership under Global Group CEO Marisa Mastroianni, leveraging Australian intellectual property and research and development frameworks.
This initiative gains further significance against the backdrop of strengthened UAE-Australia relations. During Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit in September, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the robust bilateral ties and a mutual commitment to advancing technology, education, and sustainable investment.
Lakeba Group, a long-standing partner of Microsoft and Intel, will contribute solutions through its established Co-Sell agreements. As the only Australian company within the UAE’s NextGen FDI Consortium, Lakeba positions Australian innovation as a central pillar in the region’s sovereign technology landscape.
The Centre was catalyzed by the NextGen FDI initiative, led by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade. It is designed to empower the private sector to support the nation’s broader mission of shaping its digital future through local talent development, research, and infrastructure.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi stated, “Through the NextGen FDI Initiative, we are building a vibrant, dynamic ecosystem to achieve our national vision, attracting top companies and talent to establish their businesses here. The AI Centre of Excellence will act as a hub for cultivating future generations of AI experts, bolstering the UAE’s efforts to develop the economy and technologies of tomorrow.”
According to Lakeba Group, the Centre is more than a regional first; it is a strategic enabler of the UAE’s AI sovereignty. It embodies a national commitment to developing and controlling the entire AI value chain, from data infrastructure and large language models to specialized applications that address regional priorities.
The initiative aims to foster homegrown capabilities by constructing AI tools, systems, and knowledge capital within the UAE’s own innovation ecosystem. This involves nurturing local research and development, building talent pipelines, supporting early-stage startups, and generating intellectual property that reflects local culture, language, and economic objectives.
Instead of depending exclusively on externally developed technologies, the Centre will empower local researchers and engineers to co-create trusted, secure solutions aligned with national goals. From foundational Arabic large language models to automation in critical sectors like energy, healthcare, and education, the Centre supports a long-term roadmap for building trusted, exportable, and scalable AI from within the UAE.
Housed at UOWD, the Centre will function as a multidisciplinary hub for applied research, public-private collaboration, and tangible innovation. Its core pillars include:
AI Talent Incubation – Deeply integrating UOWD students and faculty with guaranteed commercial pathways via the AqlanX ecosystem. Sovereign AI R&D – Joint development of Arabic LLMs, edge intelligence, automation tools, and platforms for national use cases. IP Commercialisation – Launching new companies and products directly from the lab to market through a planned joint venture structure. Policy & Thought Leadership – Contributing to global best practices in responsible AI, cyber-ethics, and digital trust.
The Centre will also serve as the official R&D headquarters for AqlanX, operating in full alignment with the UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 and Digital Economy Vision.
Each partner brings a distinct strength to the venture. UOWD provides the academic, research, and talent foundation. Lakeba Group contributes its global venture-building expertise and strategic relationships with tech giants Intel and Microsoft. DoxAI supplies sovereign-ready automation tools and engineering leadership, while AqlanX leads commercialization, infrastructure integration, and regional scale-up.
Giuseppe Porcelli, CEO of Lakeba, remarked, “This model demonstrates how academia, government, and enterprise must unite, not merely to build AI, but to shape the future of civilization.”
Demetrio Russo, Co-Founder and CEO of AqlanX, added, “This Centre represents a pivotal moment for the region’s AI future, accelerating innovation by developing home-grown talent, local intellectual property, and deployable solutions conceived in the UAE and built for global impact. This is the pathway for nations to achieve strategic autonomy through AI.”
The launch of the Centre signals the UAE’s evolution from technology adopter to global innovator. As the world looks for trusted, inclusive alternatives to centralized Big Tech platforms, this initiative offers a new direction, one rooted in sovereignty, purpose, and regional pride.
Marisa Mastroianni, Group CEO and Managing Director of UOW Global Enterprises, said, “The AI Centre of Excellence will fortify the UAE innovation ecosystem. It will serve as an engine of opportunity for students, researchers, and industries, creating lasting value for the nation and its people.”
An inaugural event is scheduled for November 17, 2025, and will be attended by senior leadership from government, academia, and international technology partners.
(Source: ITWire Australia)
