In a significant move to bolster the region’s tech talent pool, NYU Abu Dhabi has announced the launch of a new Master’s in Interdisciplinary Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MIDSAI). The program is designed to cultivate advanced expertise in critical technology fields, directly supporting the UAE’s strategic vision of becoming a leading knowledge-based economy.
A Deep Dive into the MIDSAI Program
The MIDSAI is a research-intensive, two-year program built upon New York University’s global excellence in Computer Science and AI, where it is ranked #17 by QS. Its interdisciplinary structure allows students to specialize in emerging and high-demand areas, including healthcare informatics, Arabic natural language processing, ethics and responsible AI, computational social science, and urban mobility. By leveraging NYU’s global network, the program will connect students with international developments in AI while engaging them in real-world projects with both local and global impact. Applications for the inaugural cohort, set to begin in Fall 2026, are now open.
Bolstering the UAE’s Talent Pipeline
The new Master’s program is the latest addition to NYUAD’s expanding portfolio of graduate offerings aimed at nurturing homegrown expertise. This expansion includes the UAE’s first PhD in Astrophysics and Space Systems (PASS), which recently welcomed its inaugural cohort, half of whom are Emirati nationals. This strategic focus on advanced education aligns with the UAE’s national priorities in sectors like space and technology.
Fabio Piano, NYUAD’s interim Vice Chancellor, stated, “Graduate education is at the heart of NYU Abu Dhabi’s next chapter. With the launch of the MIDSAI program, the continued success of PASS, and the expansion of Stern at NYU Abu Dhabi, we are proud to be shaping programs that not only meet the demands of the global economy but also align closely with the UAE’s vision for innovation and talent development.”
A Track Record of Academic Excellence and Impact
NYU Abu Dhabi stands as the highest globally ranked university in the UAE, with Times Higher Education placing NYU among the world’s top 35 universities. The institution’s impact on the local economy is significant, with approximately 60% of its degree recipients choosing to remain in the UAE post-graduation. The university’s faculty includes four Nobel Laureates, and its research output is substantial, with over 9,500 internationally recognized publications and more than 90 faculty labs. According to the Nature Index, NYUAD ranks number one in the UAE for publications in the world’s top science journals, underscoring its role as a premier research hub in the region.
About NYU Abu Dhabi
NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. Times Higher Education ranks NYU among the top 35 universities in the world, making NYU Abu Dhabi the highest globally ranked university in the UAE. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly selective undergraduate curriculum across the disciplines with a world center for advanced research and scholarship. The university enables its students in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and arts to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi’s high-achieving students have come from over 120 countries and speak over 100 languages.
Source: Zawya
