IBM and the UAE Cybersecurity Council have announced plans to establish a joint Innovation Center in Abu Dhabi aimed at accelerating the country’s ambitions in trusted artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced digital innovation. The announcement was made during the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event in the presence of Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government and Chairman of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, along with Shukri Eid, General Manager for IBM Gulf Levant and Pakistan. The initiative reflects a broader effort to strengthen collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders in building a future ready digital ecosystem.
The proposed Innovation Center is designed to act as a strategic platform that brings together government entities, industry leaders, academic institutions, and international partners. By combining expertise, advanced technologies, and policy engagement, the center aims to support the UAE’s national vision for secure and trusted digital transformation. It is expected to play a role in promoting responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, enhancing cyber resilience, and enabling innovation aligned with national priorities. The platform will also allow IBM to contribute its global experience and technological capabilities while engaging with regional partners to expand collaboration across the wider ecosystem.
Key focus areas of the center include talent and capacity development, emerging technologies, governance frameworks, and solution development. Efforts will be directed toward building national capabilities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced digital skills through joint initiatives and co creation models. The collaboration will also explore technologies such as intelligent automation and advanced cybersecurity solutions while working on governance and trust frameworks that align with both national regulations and international standards. Another important component involves developing localized solutions that can serve both regional and global markets through coordinated ecosystem engagement and go to market strategies.
Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti emphasized that the UAE continues to prioritize the development of a secure and resilient digital environment supported by innovation and global competitiveness. He noted that collaboration with IBM highlights the role of trusted partnerships in strengthening cybersecurity capabilities and advancing responsible technology adoption. Shukri Eid stated that the UAE has emerged as a leading environment for technology driven transformation and that the Innovation Center will reinforce IBM’s commitment to supporting innovation, developing local talent, and enabling trusted solutions that contribute to long term strategic objectives.
The initiative is expected to support the creation of sustainable local capabilities while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for advanced technology and strategic collaboration. By combining IBM’s global expertise with the UAE Cybersecurity Council’s leadership and vision, the Innovation Center will contribute to the development of trusted artificial intelligence solutions and stronger cybersecurity frameworks. The collaboration remains subject to final agreements between the parties, but it reflects ongoing efforts to advance innovation and strengthen the digital economy through coordinated partnerships.
IBM operates as a global provider of hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence, and consulting services, supporting clients in more than 175 countries. Its technologies are widely used across sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare to enable secure and efficient digital transformation. Through continued investment in areas such as AI, quantum computing, and industry specific cloud solutions, IBM maintains its focus on delivering flexible and transparent solutions that align with evolving global technology needs.
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