#1 Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
Website: https://mbzuai.ac.ae
Location: Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Short background: Graduate research university founded in 2019. First university in the world dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence, with focus on machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
#2 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Website: https://www.kaust.edu.sa
Location: Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Short background: Public research university founded in 2009. Heavy investment in artificial intelligence, data driven research, and supercomputing.
#3 Khalifa University
Website: https://www.ku.ac.ae
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Short background: Public research university founded in 2007. National leader in AI research supporting engineering and advanced technology.
#4 United Arab Emirates University
Website: https://www.uaeu.ac.ae
Location: Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Short background: Public research university founded in 1976. Active in artificial intelligence aligned with national digital transformation goals.
#5 Qatar University
Website: https://www.qu.edu.qa
Location: Doha, Qatar
Short background: Public research university founded in 1973. Growing research activity in artificial intelligence and data science.
#6 King Saud University
Website: https://ksu.edu.sa
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Short background: Public research university founded in 1957. Strong computer science foundation with expanding AI research programs.
#7 American University of Beirut
Website: https://www.aub.edu.lb
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Short background: Private research university founded in 1866. Long standing programs in computing, data science, and applied AI.
#8 Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Website: https://www.technion.ac.il/en
Location: Haifa, Israel
Short background: Public research university founded in 1912. Strong global reputation in artificial intelligence, robotics, and computer science research.
#9 Tel Aviv University
Website: https://english.tau.ac.il
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Short background: Public research university founded in 1956. Deep industry ties and strong output in machine learning, data science, and AI startups.
#10 Weizmann Institute of Science
Website: https://www.weizmann.ac.il
Location: Rehovot, Israel
Short background: Public research institute founded in 1934. Known for advanced AI research applied to science, mathematics, and biology.