Nvidia and Abu Dhabi’s TII launch first AI & robotics research hub in Middle East

Nvidia and Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) have unveiled a joint artificial intelligence and robotics laboratory in the United Arab Emirates, the first Nvidia AI Technology Center in the Middle East. The hub will combine Nvidia’s cutting-edge computing power with TII’s applied research to accelerate work on advanced AI models and robotics platforms.

Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said the lab will leverage Nvidia’s new Thor chip, designed for next-generation robotic systems. The collaboration will support TII’s work on humanoids, quadruped robots, and robotic arms, with both existing staff and new hires contributing to the effort.

TII is the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, which drives the UAE’s long-term strategy to become a global AI leader. The Gulf nation has poured billions into AI initiatives, including plans for one of the world’s largest data center hubs in Abu Dhabi, built with U.S. technology and Nvidia’s most advanced chips. That project, announced during President Donald Trump’s May visit, remains pending amid U.S. security concerns over the UAE’s ties with China.

Aaraj noted that TII has been using Nvidia’s GPUs to train large-scale language models for some time, with discussions on the joint lab beginning about a year ago. The new hub will host researchers from both organizations and expand staff as projects scale.

The initiative underscores both Nvidia’s push into global AI partnerships and the UAE’s ambition to position itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence and robotics innovation.