MBZUAI Strengthens Its Research Ties with École Polytechnique for AI Collaboration

Enhancing Research Ties Between MBZUAI and École Polytechnique

In a significant move towards bolstering its research capabilities, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is deepening its collaboration with France's École Polytechnique. This strategic partnership is set to unfold in 2025 and aims to strengthen the AI ecosystem in both France and the UAE.

A New Era of AI Collaboration

Following the signing of a Collaborative Research Agreement, both institutions will embark on ambitious projects that promise to push the boundaries of AI research. This joint initiative will be led by prominent researchers from MBZUAI and École Polytechnique, focusing on several key areas, including the development of large-scale language models, foundational models for reasoning, and exploring the use of AI in crucial sectors such as biology, healthcare, and AI safety.

Professor Eric Xing, the President of MBZUAI, expressed enthusiasm for this deepened relationship, stating, "Our alliances and presence in France are critical for the continuous growth and innovation of our research capacities. We are excited to expand our relationship with École Polytechnique to support these efforts." This partnership is viewed as an exemplar of global research collaboration aimed at advancing AI while sharing its benefits across both nations.

Historical Background and Recent Developments

The foundation of this partnership dates back to February 2025, when MBZUAI and École Polytechnique signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in education, research, and innovation in artificial intelligence. The MoU was a key highlight during the AI Action Summit held in France, where Professor Xing delivered an inaugural speech on the intersection of AI, science, and society. Building on this framework, the institutions further solidified their commitment in April with the establishment of an Academic Exchange Program Agreement. This program facilitates the research and academic exchange of students and staff between the two prestigious universities.

Laura Chaubard, the Director General of École Polytechnique, shared her optimism about the partnership: "I am extremely pleased to advance our strategic research collaboration with MBZUAI. The scientific synergies are numerous, ranging from applications in health, safety, and environmental sustainability to large language models and foundational reasoning models. I am confident that these synergies will lead to enriching collaborations in the future."

Research Initiatives and Future Directions

This strategic alliance represents a crucial milestone in accelerating collaborative research efforts. Notably, it will also support the upcoming generation of researchers and innovators in the field of AI. Moreover, MBZUAI's research links with France are set to be further bolstered by the presence of the France Lab in Paris, which serves as a satellite facility of MBZUAI.

Among its achievements, researchers at the France Lab have developed a family of open-source large language models known as Atlas-Chat, focusing on the Moroccan Arabic dialect (Darija). They have already introduced two models: Atlas-Chat-2B, designed for efficient text generation, and Atlas-Chat-9B, which offers more nuanced and contextual outputs for advanced tasks.

The France Lab will also play a pivotal role in the upcoming launch of the Foundation Models Institute (IFM) of MBZUAI, a bold global initiative aimed at uniting AI talent from Abu Dhabi, Silicon Valley, and Paris. The France Lab, as one of three central hubs for this initiative, will be instrumental in creating the next generation of foundation models, delivering their advantages to communities worldwide.

About MBZUAI

The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence is a cutting-edge research university based in Abu Dhabi, which uniquely focuses on advancing science through artificial intelligence. The university is committed to educating the next generation of AI leaders, facilitating impactful innovations through top-notch education and interdisciplinary research. In 2025, MBZUAI launched its inaugural degree program, a Bachelor's of Science in AI, complete with specialized tracks in Business and Engineering. For more information on programs or admissions, visit www.mbzuai.ac.ae. For press inquiries, please contact our public relations and strategic communications team.