Abu Dhabi: The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first graduate-level, research-based artificial intelligence (AI) university, has officially welcomed its first student cohort at a virtual event with students from across the world, who will be beginning their studies in Abu Dhabi later this week. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, delivered a welcome speech emphasising the critical importance of AI, especially during the pandemic, as well as in transforming industries to achieve greater outcomes. He was joined by Professor Dr Eric Xing, president of MBZUAI, as well as members from the student body, faculty, and staff from the university.