Technology Innovation Institute

TII was founded in May 2020 and its first board meeting took place in August 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=Abu Dhabi Unveils a Pioneering Global Centre for Advanced Technology Research|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201110005653/en/Abu-Dhabi-Unveils-a-Pioneering-Global-Centre-for-Advanced-Technology-Research|access-date=2021-03-30|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-04-08|title=TII Appoints Globally-Renowned Experts to Board of Advisors|url=https://www.tahawultech.com/news/tii-appoints-globally-renowned-experts-to-board-of-advisors/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=TahawulTech.com|language=en-GB}} Dr Najwa Aaraj is currently serving as the 2nd CEO of the institute, following Dr. Ray O. Johnson's tenure as the inaugural CEO until 2024. In April 2020, the institute started Citizen Science, an initiative to address the need for specialized medical equipment, data analysis and related technical support in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=2020-04-26 |title=Citizen Science – a collective of 20 UAE scientists, researchers and engineers invited to come up with innovative solutions to ease medical pressures exerted by the COVID pandemic |url=https://www.gtechme.com/insights/gtech-partners-with-tii-in-building-citizen-science/ |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=GTECH |language=en}}{{Cite news|title=The experts in Abu Dhabi unite to produce Covid-19 supplies for medical frontliners|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/technology/445333-abu-dhabi-experts-unite-to-produce-covid-19-supplies-for-medical-frontliners}}{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Ashwani|title=Emiratis and expats work together to find solutions to beat Covid-19 pandemic|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/emiratis-and-expats-work-together-to-find-solutions-to-beat-covid-19-pandemic|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Khaleej Times|language=en}} In October 2020, it granted $2.3 million fund to a research group of Purdue University to explore the secure and efficient operations of drones.{{Cite web|title=Purdue University and Abu Dhabi Work Together on Cybersecure Drone Swarms – Homeland Security Today|url=https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/airport-aviation-security/purdue-university-and-abu-dhabi-work-together-on-cybersecure-drone-swarms/|access-date=2021-03-30|language=en-US}} In December 2020, it announced collaboration with Virgin Hyperloop to explore and implement "localisation of the futuristic transportation method.”{{Cite news|title=Abu Dhabi's TII, Virgin Hyperloop team up to accelerate transport and logistics innovation|url=https://www.itp.net/emergent-tech/95138-abu-dhabis-tii-virgin-hyperloop-team-up-to-accelerate-transport-and-logistics-innovation}}{{Cite web|title=Technology Innovation Institute, Virgin Hyperloop announce R&D partnership to advance future transport and logistics in UAE|url=https://wam.ae/en/details/1395302895392|access-date=2021-03-30|website=wam}} In March 2021, the institute signed a memorandum of understanding with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence to augment research in Artificial Intelligence.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-29|title=MBZUAI and Technology Innovation Institute partner to advance AI research|url=https://www.intelligentcio.com/me/2021/03/29/mbzuai-and-technology-innovation-institute-partner-to-advance-ai-research/|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Intelligent CIO Middle East|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|last=MENAFN|title=MBZUAI and Technology Innovation Institute Form Strategic Collaboration to Advance AI Research|url=https://menafn.com/1101823819/MBZUAI-and-Technology-Innovation-Institute-Form-Strategic-Collaboration-to-Advance-AI-Research|access-date=2021-03-30|website=menafn.com}}{{Cite news|title=MBZUAI and Technology Innovation Institute sign key AI R&D deal|url=https://www.itp.net/emergent-tech/96967-mbzuai-and-technology-innovation-institute-sign-key-ai-rd-deal}}{{Cite web|date=2021-04-27|title=TII's Secure Systems Research Centre Partners with World-leading Universities|url=https://www.tahawultech.com/news/tiis-secure-systems-research-centre-partners-with-world-leading-universities/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=TahawulTech.com|language=en-GB}}

The institute has ten research centres:

The quantum research centre has been established with the aim to develop UAE's first quantum computer.{{Cite news|title=The Explainer: Quantum computing and how it's set to revolutionise the business world|work=Arab News|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/technology/467225-the-explainer-quantum-computing}} In March 2021, it was announced that the first quantum computer will be developed at the institute's Quantum Research Centre{{Cite news|title=UAE's Technology Innovation Institute joins the quantum computing challenge|url=https://www.itp.net/emergent-tech/97486-uae-technology-innovation-institute-joins-the-quantum-computing-challenge}} under the supervision of chief researcher Jose Ignacio Latorre and in collaboration with Spanish organization Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech.{{Cite web|title=Abu Dhabi building UAE's first quantum computer|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/abu-dhabi-building-uaes-first-quantum-computer-1.78046379|access-date=2021-03-30|website=gulfnews.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-03-27|title=UAE explained: How Abu Dhabi's new quantum computer could help solve the mysteries of science|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/science/uae-explained-how-abu-dhabi-s-new-quantum-computer-could-help-solve-the-mysteries-of-science-1.1191762|access-date=2021-03-30|website=The National|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Freelance|first=Motivate|date=2021-03-24|title=Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute to build UAE's first quantum computer|url=https://gulfbusiness.com/abu-dhabis-technology-innovation-institute-to-build-uaes-first-quantum-computer/|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Gulf Business|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Gokulan|first=Dhanusha|title=Quantum computers can predict cyber threats, say IT experts|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/technology/quantum-computers-can-predict-cyber-threats-say-it-experts|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Khaleej Times|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Technology Innovation Institute Joins the Quantum Computing Challenge with Launch of Open-Source 'Qibo'|url=https://tennews.in/press-releases/72692/technology-innovation-institute-joins-the-quantum-computing-challenge-with-launch-of-open-source-qibo|access-date=2021-10-31|website=tennews.in}} The area of operations of Quantum Research Centre includes quantum cryptography, quantum algorithms, quantum communications and quantum sensing.{{Cite web|title=Quantum Home|url=https://quantum.tii.ae/quantum-home|access-date=2021-10-31|website=QRC|language=en}}

Autonomous robotics research centre deals with the automation and robotics related research and development.{{Cite web|title=About Us Autonomous Robotics|url=https://autonomousrobotics.tii.ae/about-us|access-date=2021-10-31|website=ARRC|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Research centres|url=http://www.tii.ae/research-centres|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Technology Innovation Institute|language=en}}

The cryptography research centre dealing in the area of cryptography has developed The National Crypto Library, in December 2020, to secure medical records pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Ashwani|title=Abu Dhabi's crypto library can prevent Covid-19 data leak|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/abu-dhabis-crypto-library-can-prevent-covid-19-data-leak|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Khaleej Times|language=en}}{{Cite news|title=Abu Dhabi's TII unveils first secure cloud technologies programme in UAE|url=https://www.itp.net/security/97356-abu-dhabis-tii-unveils-first-secure-cloud-technologies-programme-in-uae}}{{Cite web|title=IACR News item: 20 January 2021|url=https://www.iacr.org/news/item/15400|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.iacr.org}} Najwa Aaraj is presently serving as the chief researcher of the centre.{{Cite web|last=AETOSWire|date=2020-12-14|title=Technology Innovation Institute Appoints Global Cryptography Leaders as its Board of Advisors at Cryptography Research Centre|url=https://menews247.com/technology-innovation-institute-appoints-global-cryptography-leaders-as-its-board-of-advisors-at-cryptography-research-centre/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=Middle East News 247|language=en-US}} During April 2021, the centre developed its second library, a Post-Quantum Cryptography which is a "collection of algorithms to safeguard confidential data and information" keeping the focus on prospective post-quantum era.{{Cite web|title=Meet the Abu Dhabi cryptographer keeping your personal data safe|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/meet-the-abu-dhabi-cryptographer-keeping-your-personal-data-safe-1.1211751|access-date=2021-10-31|website=The National}}{{Cite web|date=2021-04-11|title=First Post-Quantum Cryptography Library|url=https://thegreaterindia.in/news/world/uae/first-post-quantum-cryptography-library/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=24/7 News - The Greater India Network|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute Unveils First Post-Quantum Cryptography Library in UAE|url=https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/technology/AD-technology-innovation-institute-unveils-first-post-quantum-cryptography-library-in-uae/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.mediaoffice.abudhabi|language=en}}

The AMRC is the department of TII that deals with nanomaterials, self healing materials, smart materials, meta materials, additive manufacturing and energy-absorbing materials and structures. The centre is presently headed by chief researcher Dr. Vincenzo Gianini.{{Cite web|title=About Us Advanced Materials|url=https://advancedmaterials.tii.ae/about-us|access-date=2021-10-31|website=AMRC|language=en}}

The primary domain of operation of the Digital Science Research Centre is in the field of Data science, Computing science, Telecom Science and Cyber-Security Science. It has three units: the AI cross-center Unit, the Digital Security Unit and the Digital Telecom Unit and was founded by Prof. Merouane Debbah. The AI cross-center unit pioneers intelligence in all sectors with 5 programs: Theory and Algorithms, Data Driven Technologies and Intelligent Systems, Exascale Models, Perception, Sensing and Planning as well as AI for good. The Digital Security Unit devises Automated and autonomous Vulnerability Detection and Mitigation techniques for software and embedded devices. Finally, The Digital Telecom Unity develops advances communication systems for 5G and 6G systems as well as connected vehicles. The center was pioneer for the development of Large Language Models (LLM) (NOOR{{Cite web|url=https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/tii-announces-launch-of-noor-the-worlds-largest-arabic-nlp-model-g4pa5cqn|title=NOOR LLM Model}} being the first Largest LLM in Arabic as well as FALCON LLM{{Cite web|url=https://fastcompanyme.com/news/abu-dhabi-based-tii-launches-its-own-version-of-chatgpt/|title=Abu Dhabi-based TII launches its own version of ChatGPT}}) in the UAE.

The domain of operation of DERC happen to be electromagnetics, photonics and acoustics. The centre is known for developing the electromagnetic compatibility labs, which is first of its kind in gulf region.{{Cite web|last=Joseph|first=Shilpa Annie|title=Abu Dhabi's TII introduces 1st electromagnetic compatibility labs in Arab world - GCC Business News|url=https://www.gccbusinessnews.com/abu-dhabis-tii-introduces-1st-electromagnetic-compatibility-labs-in-arab-world/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.gccbusinessnews.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Jonathan Spencer|date=2021-05-11|title=Electromagnetic compatibility labs launched in Abu Dhabi|url=https://www.smart-energy.com/industry-sectors/new-technology/electromagnetic-compatibility-labs-launched-in-abu-dhabi/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=Smart Energy International|language=en-ZA}} The DERC centre is composed of three facilities namely, EMC semi-anechoic chamber, a pulsed power laboratory, and a low-noise emanation laboratory.{{Cite web|title=Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute Unveils The Arab World's First Electromagnetic Compatibility Labs|url=https://ghananewsonline.com.gh/abu-dhabis-technology-innovation-institute-2/|access-date=2021-10-31|language=en-US}} The centre is known for working in collaboration with Gulf Cooperation Council, anechoic chambers etc.{{Cite web|title=About Us Directed Energy|url=https://directedenergy.tii.ae/about-us|access-date=2021-10-31|website=DERC|language=en}} Presently, the centre is headed by chief researcher Chaouki Kasmi. In May 2021, the centre forged partnership with a number of academic institutions including Ruhr University, Helmut Schmidt University, University Clermont Auvergne, National University of Colombia etc.{{Cite web|title=Technology Innovation Institute's Directed Energy Research Centre Partners With World-leading Universities|url=https://ghananewsonline.com.gh/ology-innovation-institutes-directed-energy/|access-date=2021-10-31|language=en-US}}

The secure system research centre is known for its operation in hardware hardening, software hardening, system integrity, network resilience etc. The centre is currently headed by chief researcher Shreekant Thakkar. During september 2021, the centre launched the first motion capture (MOCAP) facility outside the United States. The system is supposed to aid the research related to testing of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in an augmented reality or virtual reality.{{Cite news|date=2021-09-08|title=Technology Innovation Institute's Secure Systems Research Centre in Abu Dhabi Announces Launch of First Motion Capture|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2021-09-08/technology-innovation-institute-s-secure-systems-research-centre-in-abu-dhabi-announces-launch-of-first-motion-capture|access-date=2021-10-31}}{{Cite web|title=Technology Innovation Institute's Secure Systems Research Centre in Abu Dhabi Announces Launch of First Motion Capture Facility Outside United States|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210908005700/en/Technology-Innovation-Institute’s-Secure-Systems-Research-Centre-in-Abu-Dhabi-Announces-Launch-of-First-Motion-Capture-Facility-Outside-United-States|work=businesswire|date=2021-09-08|access-date=2021-10-31|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Nair|first=Arya M.|title=First in UAE; Technology Institute's SSRC unveils Motion Capture facility - GCC Business News|url=https://www.gccbusinessnews.com/first-in-uae-technology-institutes-ssrc-unveils-motion-capture-facility/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.gccbusinessnews.com|language=en-US}} In October 2021, the centre announced its partnership with Khalifa University of Science and Technology, University of Turku and Graz University of Technology in relation to the ongoing research projects in secure mesh communications.{{Cite web|title=Technology Innovation Institute's Secure Systems Research Centre Collaborates with Global Universities on Secure Mesh Communications Research Projects|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/technology-innovation-institute-secure-systems-081900670.html|access-date=2021-10-31|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=TII's secure systems research centre collaborates with global universities on secure mesh communications research projects|url=https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/TIIs_secure_systems_research_centre_collaborates_with_global_universities_on_secure_mesh_communications_research_projects-ZAWYA20211026092504|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.zawya.com|language=en}}

In 2022, three additional research centres were established:

Headed by chief researcher Dr. Thomas Launey, the BRC is developing products across all branches of biotechnology, in Biomedicine, Biorobotics, Environmental Biotech, Molecular Biology and Genomics and Bioinformatics for biomedical and healthcare applications, agritech, pharma and biopharma, bioproduction and industrial solutions, aquaculture, synthetic biology, in-silico and AI products. Its research facilities opened in 2024.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

The centre is headed by chief researcher Prof. Phil Hart. Focussed on areas such as BioEnergy, Chemical Energy (such as hydrogen and synthetic fuels), sustainable chemicals, sustainable agriculture, batteries, fuel cells, electrolysers, renewable energy generation systems, AI and traditional data science, desalination-, water and power distribution systems and networks, water treatment and reuse, sustainable soil amendments and fertilisers, and much more around adaptation and mitigation of climate change and its effects.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

The centre is presently headed by acting chief researcher Gustavo dos Santos.

In 2024, a new large language model in the Falcon series was launched, Falcon Mamba (7B), which is an open source language model of the SSLM type.{{Cite web |title=«الابتكار التكنولوجي» يُحدث ثورة فـي نمــاذج الذكــاء الاصطناعــي اللغويــة" |url=https://www.alkhaleej.ae/2024-08-14/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%86%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%AB-%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%80%D9%8A-%D9%86%D9%85%D9%80%D9%80%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%83%D9%80%D9%80%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%80%D9%80%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%88%D9%8A%D9%80%D9%80%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%86}}{{Cite web |title="معهد الابتكار التكنولوجي يطلق نموذجا لغويا جديدا في سلسلة نماذج فالكون" |url=https://www.wam.ae/ar/article/b4nji1x-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%87%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%86%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B7%D9%84%D9%82-%D9%86%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B0%D8%AC%D8%A7-%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A7}}

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Category:Research institutes in the United Arab Emirates

Category:Artificial intelligence laboratories

Category:Research institutes established in 2020

Category:Organisations based in Abu Dhabi

Category:2020 establishments in the United Arab Emirates