H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, presided over the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) board meeting, where members reviewed the progression of research and development across the UAE and approved three new strategic ventures.
Sheikh Khaled's Vision for ICT and AI
Sheikh Khaled emphasised the need to invest in radical new ICT technologies and artificial intelligence to sustain the UAE's position as an innovation-driven economy. He stressed the role of the UAE Research Map in fostering national research collaboration and supporting Emirati talent in technological advancement.
The meeting underscored the importance of cultivating UAE national talent in STEM fields — areas critical to advancing the country's research environment and driving progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, and robotics. ATRC's mandate includes shaping Abu Dhabi's research and development landscape and STEM education in alignment with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision.
Three New VentureOne Spinouts Approved
ATRC's commercialisation arm, VentureOne, is set to spin out three new ventures targeting key economic priorities in Abu Dhabi:
- Quantum-era data security — developing advanced cryptographic solutions to protect organisations from threats posed by quantum computing - Smart and autonomous mobility — creating next-generation autonomous transport technologies to improve efficiency and safety - Agritech with robotics — leveraging robotic systems to enhance agricultural productivity in arid environments and support global food security
All three ventures are expected to launch before the end of 2024.
UAE Research Map Reaches 2,000 Visits
The board reviewed progress on the UAE Research Map, which has recorded more than 2,000 visits and 450 registered experts since its launch in May 2024. The map strengthens partnerships between academia and the public and private sectors, with 10 additional organisations expressing interest in joining the platform.
Falcon LLM and Quantum Optical Station
ATRC is accelerating the deployment of the UAE's Falcon LLM within governmental solutions and technology frameworks. The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) unveiled the Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station, marking a significant advance in secure optical communications. TII also received recognition for its Directed Energy Center's work on environmental challenges and reported substantial downloads of Falcon LLM models.
ASPIRE's Food Security Projects
ASPIRE, ATRC's program management entity, presented projects related to the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051 and international food security, including its cooperation with XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion.
Senior Officials in Attendance
The meeting was attended by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, H.H. Sheikh Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, and Ahmed Tamim Al Kuttab.
