The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is making major waves in the AI world with the launch of its Institute of Foundation Models (IFM), a global initiative aimed at revolutionizing next-gen AI development.
With its newest lab opening in Sunnyvale, California, the IFM now connects three global AI hubs: Abu Dhabi, Paris, and Silicon Valley. The big reveal took place at the prestigious Computer History Museum in Mountain View, drawing AI leaders from top academic institutions and tech giants alike.
A Global Vision, Powered by Strategic Expansion
This move isn’t just about geography — it’s about connecting to the heart of global AI innovation.
Professor Eric Xing, President of MBZUAI, said:
“Our expansion into Silicon Valley gives us a critical footprint in one of the world’s most vibrant AI ecosystems. We’re unlocking new pathways for collaboration and real-world impact.”
For the UAE, this initiative is a key milestone in its mission to drive economic diversification through knowledge-based industries and advanced technologies.
Meet PAN, Redefining Foundation Models
At the event, MBZUAI unveiled PAN, a next-generation “world model” that goes far beyond traditional AI tools.
What makes PAN different?
- ✅ Combines multimodal data (language, video, spatial data, physical actions)
- ✅ Simulates complex scenarios in real time
- ✅ Enables advanced reasoning, planning, and decision-making
- ✅ Powers use cases in robotics, autonomous driving, and beyond
Alongside PAN, MBZUAI introduced PAN-Agent, which tackles tasks like math, coding, and logical reasoning within interactive simulations.
Advancing Innovation with K2 and JAIS
IFM isn’t stopping at PAN. Two more AI powerhouses are being pushed forward:
- K2 – A frontier foundation model designed for efficient reasoning. An upcoming update to its K2-65B version promises better performance in code generation, math, and logical tasks, all while consuming less computing power.
- JAIS – The world’s most advanced Arabic large language model. JAIS supports Modern Standard Arabic, regional dialects, and Hindi, promoting cultural authenticity and language inclusion in AI.
Transparency at the core with LLM360
In a space often criticized for being too closed off, MBZUAI is doing the opposite.
With its LLM360 initiative, the IFM is open-sourcing everything — from training code and datasets to model checkpoints. This fosters transparency, global collaboration, and trust in AI development.
Dedicated teams oversee:
- Model architecture
- Training methodology
- Evaluation metrics
- Safety and ethics protocols
Plus, independent advisory boards ensure everything stays aligned with global standards and research integrity.
Building the Future, Together
With partnerships across academia, industry, and public sectors, the IFM is creating a solid foundation for practical AI innovation. MBZUAI’s hybrid model blends startup agility with the strength of a global research institution.
From Silicon Valley to Abu Dhabi, MBZUAI is proving that AI doesn’t just have to be powerful — it can be responsible, inclusive, and world-changing.