Saal.ai, a UAE-based AI and big data company, has announced a strategic collaboration with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) to accelerate research and innovation in sovereign and Agentic AI. The partnership, revealed at the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event, aims to strengthen the UAE’s national AI vision and build a self-reliant digital economy.
Quick Facts
- Strategic MoU signed at ‘Make it in the Emirates’.
- Focus on sovereign, agentic AI research and development.
- Aims to bridge academia and industry for UAE’s AI vision.
Building a Sovereign AI Ecosystem
The collaboration, formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), brings together SUAD’s academic and research expertise with Saal.ai’s capabilities in enterprise AI platforms. The core objective is to accelerate the development of localized AI capabilities that align with the UAE’s digital transformation agenda.
This partnership intends to create a stronger link between academic theory and industry application through joint research initiatives, AI innovation programs, and structured knowledge exchange. By combining SUAD’s academic rigor with Saal.ai’s practical AI deployment experience, the initiative will help develop trusted, locally grounded AI frameworks that support the UAE’s national sovereignty and governance priorities.
Dr. Xavier Fresquet, Head of Sorbonne Center for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, highlighted the importance of such collaborations. “Partnerships between academia and industry are becoming essential as AI technologies…rapidly expand,” he said. “From a research perspective, collaborations with industry partners are equally important in helping scale the models, architectures, and autonomous agent systems developed in our laboratories into robust, secure, and sovereign technological solutions.”
The Push for Agentic and Localised AI
A key focus of the agreement is on Agentic AI—systems that can act autonomously to achieve goals. The partnership aims to translate advanced AI research into tangible systems that can serve national priorities, from government and real estate to defense and healthcare.
This move aligns with SUAD’s ‘Year of AI’ and its commitment to developing future-ready talent through programs like its Bachelor’s in Mathematics with a specialisation in Data Science for Artificial Intelligence. The collaboration is set to bolster the UAE’s position as a leader in trusted and responsible AI.
Vikraman Poduval, CEO of Saal.ai, commented, “This collaboration represents the next level of accelerating true sovereign AI capabilities in the UAE with self-reliance and full autonomy. Our goal is to translate advanced AI research into real, impactful systems that serve national priorities and strengthen the UAE’s leadership in trusted AI.”
About Saal.ai
Saal.ai is an AI-cognitive solutions provider focused on improving operational efficiency and driving innovation for businesses. As part of Abu Dhabi Capital Group (ADCG), the company offers a suite of UAE-developed products and platforms, including AgendiX, GovernX, and DigiXT. Saal.ai provides tailored solutions for sectors such as government, real estate, defense, healthcare, and education to support digital transformation.
About Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD)
Established in 2006, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) is a branch campus of Sorbonne University in Paris. Licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), SUAD offers over 20 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university promotes research and innovation through its Sorbonne Abu Dhabi for Innovation and Research Institute (SAFIR) and seven research centers, including one dedicated to AI.
Source: Zawya
