Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
Experts at universities in the UAE have highlighted how artificial intelligence innovation is transforming vital sectors such as agriculture, education and healthcare.
In an interview with Aletihad during GITEX Global 2025 on Monday, Mashood Mohsan, Research Associate at Khalifa University, explained how UAE universities are developing sustainable, AI-based solutions for agriculture.
"Geographically, the UAE is in a very warm region, so we need controlled-environment solutions to grow crops here," Mohsan said, adding that the UAE is working on solutions that will be adopted globally in the future.
He said some of Khalifa University's projects are designed specifically to address regional challenges like heat and water scarcity.
Mohsan noted that the goal is to make agriculture in the UAE more autonomous.
"We want to ensure that every resource we use produces maximum yield. Human judgment can vary, but AI ensures precision," he said.
Khalifa University, in collaboration with Silal, is also building the UAE's first autonomous greenhouse, a major step toward sustainable farming.
Mohsan revealed that the greenhouse is currently under construction, and is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
"The greenhouse will serve as a benchmark centre for AI and robotics technologies before commercialisation," he noted.
He explained that such advancements could significantly reduce food loss and improve sustainability.
Sambal Shikhar, a Research Engineer at Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), highlighted the growing impact of AI in sectors like healthcare, agriculture and sustainability within the UAE.
He noted that the university's AI-driven healthcare initiatives, especially in elderly care, are a key area of focus.
"Our focus is to move beyond just research papers and create tangible products that can make a difference across various industries," Shikhar told Aletihad.
As AI continues to shape the future, Shikhar observed a significant shift in the interests of students.
"In the past, the focus was on computer engineering and applications development, but now young people are building AI models that can have a much larger impact," he said.
He pointed out the growing correlation between mathematics and AI, with students increasingly recognising the importance of mathematical skills to succeed in AI and other tech fields.
"To be good at AI, you need to be good at math. This is an exciting trend as it opens doors to a variety of sectors, making AI more accessible and applicable across industries," Shikhar added.
