Nvidia to open Middle East research centre in Abu Dhabi

AI chipmaker Nvidia has signed a deal with Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) to open its first research hub in the Middle East.

Wam | Marc Domenech, a regional director at Nvidia, and TII chief executive Dr Najwa Aaraj. Nvidia's new Abu Dhabi research centre will focus on AI and robotics

• Partnering with TII

• Robotics and AI focus

• UAE seeking best chips

The TII-NVAITC (Nvidia AI Technology Center) facility will focus on artificial intelligence and robotics research, according to a press release.

TII-NVAITC Joint Lab’s research will span robotic learning, as well as the development and integration of large language models, including TII’s Falcon family of AI models, the announcement said.

“By combining our advanced robotic platforms with powerful AI models and compute, we are accelerating the convergence of perception, control, and language – laying the foundation for a new era of intelligent machines,” said Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII.

Nvidia makes the cutting-edge AI chips required to train the most advanced AI programmes.

The UAE has long pushed for greater access to Nvidia’s most advanced chips.

Despite news in May that the US would allow the UAE to purchase millions of the most advanced chips, reports suggest the two sides have been slow to reach a deal on deliveries.

By Chris Hamill-Stewart

September 24, 2025, 2:42 PM