Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Approves Strategic Technology Ventures at the Advanced Technology Research Council Meeting

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, presided over a key meeting of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC)

Picture Credit: Emirates News Agency

Key Highlights:

  • Launch of Three Strategic Ventures: Projects aimed at quantum-era data security, smart autonomous mobility, and robotics-driven agritech, addressing key economic and national priorities.
  • Advanced Technology Research Council’s Five-Year Strategic Vision: The council outlined a roadmap to enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in research, development, and innovation (RDI).
  • Focus on National Talent Development: Emphasis on building local expertise in emerging sectors such as AI, quantum technologies, and clean energy.
  • Global Collaborations and Budget Approval: The board approved a five-year budget, supporting public-private partnerships and international research collaborations to ensure the scalability of these technologies. 

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, presided over a key meeting of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), approving three groundbreaking ventures under ATRC’s commercialization arm, VentureOne. These strategic initiatives focus on quantum-era data security, smart autonomous mobility, and robotics-driven agritech—each of which will launch later this year.

Three Groundbreaking Projects Set to Launch 

The three ventures approved under VentureOne will address critical challenges across several sectors, contributing to both national and global technological advancement:

  • Quantum-Era Data Security: A project designed to develop advanced cryptographic solutions to protect data from the potential threats posed by quantum computing.
  • Smart Autonomous Mobility: Focused on creating cutting-edge autonomous mobility technologies that will revolutionize transport systems, improving both efficiency and safety.
  • Robotics-Driven Agritech: Leveraging robotics to enhance agricultural productivity in arid environments, this project aims to support global food security efforts while addressing the UAE’s unique agricultural challenges.

These projects are closely aligned with Abu Dhabi’s broader vision of translating research into real-world applications that benefit both society and the economy.

Five-Year Strategic Vision: Solidifying Abu Dhabi as a Global Innovation Leader

The board reviewed the ATRC’s five-year strategic vision, which aims to further Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global hub for research, development, and innovation (RDI). His Highness Sheikh Khaled emphasized the importance of accelerating advancements in priority sectors such as quantum technologiesartificial intelligence, and clean energy, all of which are essential to the UAE’s National Innovation Strategy.

The UAE’s leadership in research and development will drive a knowledge-based economy that strengthens both our regional and global competitiveness,” HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated, highlighting the critical role of technological innovation.

Priority Areas for Technological Advancements

Over the next five years, the ATRC will concentrate on key sectors that will have a transformative impact on the UAE’s economy and its global standing:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems: Expanding research into AI-driven solutions across sectors such as transport, healthcare, and public services, enhancing both operational efficiency and service quality.
  • Quantum Technologies: Advancing quantum computing and communications, alongside secure quantum solutions, placing the UAE at the forefront of this transformative technology.
  • Clean Energy and Sustainability: Accelerating research into sustainable energy technologies, supporting the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050goals, and establishing the country as a leader in energy transition efforts.
  • Radar and Imaging Technologies: Developing high-precision radar systems capable of imaging underground features and topography, including AI-powered radar systems for humanitarian landmine detection.
  • Biotechnology and Agritech: Leveraging advances in biotech and robotics to address global food security challenges and enhance agricultural productivity in difficult environments, supporting both local and global sustainability efforts. 

Investing in National Talent 

A central pillar of ATRC’s strategy is developing national talent in STEM fields. By focusing on nurturing home-grown expertise in emerging technologies such as quantum, AI, and clean energy, the UAE is positioning itself to lead globally in key technological fields.

This emphasis on national talent aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of fostering a knowledge-based economy and preparing future generations to take leadership roles in advanced scientific and technological domains.

Public-Private Partnerships and Global Collaboration 

His Excellency Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary-General of ATRC, presented the council’s five-year budget plan, which was subsequently approved. The budget reflects a commitment to sustaining research excellence and includes provisions for public-private partnerships, which are critical for scaling and commercializing the innovative technologies developed within ATRC’s ecosystem.

The budget also emphasizes global collaboration, with significant investments directed towards international research partnerships, fostering the exchange of knowledge and advancing the UAE’s position as a global innovation leader.

Conclusion

The approval of these three strategic projects under ATRC’s VentureOne underscores the UAE’s commitment to accelerating technological advancements across critical sectors. By focusing on quantum-era data securityautonomous mobility, and robotics-driven agritech, the UAE is positioning itself to lead in the global race for technological excellence. With a robust five-year strategic plan, a focus on national talent development, and a commitment to fostering global collaborations, Abu Dhabi continues to set the pace for innovation that will shape the future of science, technology, and sustainability.

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