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MBZUAI and UNDP Join Forces for Sustainable AI 

With General Counsel Richard Morton (pictured) at the helm of its legal department, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has joined hands with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to propel the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainable development goals. The partnership, forged during the World Governments Summit 2024 (WGS), designates MBZUAI as the founding knowledge partner for the UNDP’s AI for Sustainable Development Platform (AI4SDP), a venture inspired by COP28’s momentum. 

The collaboration aims to leverage AI’s capabilities to tackle global challenges, focusing on environmental resilience, water resources management, climate adaptation, social cohesion, and reducing inequalities. 

Sultan Al Hajji, Vice President of Public Affairs and Alumni Relations at MBZUAI, and Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Arab States, sealed the partnership during the WGS in Dubai, themed ‘Shaping Future Governments.’ The summit, attended by 120 government delegations and over 85 international, regional, and intergovernmental organizations, provided a fitting backdrop for this momentous agreement. 

Al Hajji expressed MBZUAI’s dedication to driving impactful advancements in climate stability and social cohesion through the AI4SDP. He emphasized the university’s role in contributing climate research, use cases, and real-world scenarios to benefit UN agencies across the Gulf region. 

UNDP Regional Director Abdallah Al Dardari underscored the transformative potential of AI while stressing the importance of ethical and responsible AI deployment. Together with MBZUAI, the UNDP aims to address pressing issues in the Arab region, such as managing water resources, combating climate change, and reducing inequalities, through AI-driven solutions. 

suzan.taha@lcpublishinggroup.it

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