Institute of Foundation Models (IFM) — Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is the world's first graduate-level, research-focused university dedicated entirely to the advancement of AI science. Founded in 2019 and located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, it runs undergraduate, Master's and Ph.D. programmes, and is recognised among the world's top 10 AI universities on research credentials. Its inaugural cohort, welcomed in January 2021, came from 29 countries.

The Institute of Foundation Models (IFM) is the university's specialised research institute, focused on building, understanding, deploying and risk-managing large-scale AI systems. Its work sits within a wider research agenda spanning artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, computational biology and foundation models.

MBZUAI combines academic training with practical industry applications, and its stated aim is to accelerate AI capability development and economic diversification in the region. The university's framework is designed to support research, education and innovation at scale, with an international student body and an ambition to position the UAE at the forefront of AI.