Fifteen Emirati artificial intelligence experts completed a five-day international study visit to Silicon Valley, where they engaged directly with technology companies, researchers and entrepreneurs shaping the future of AI.
The visit, which ran until November 6, formed part of the National Experts Program’s Artificial Intelligence track (NEP-AI). The program included engagements with Apple, Scale AI, OpenAI, NVIDIA and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence’s Institute of Foundation Models.
H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, said: “The UAE and the United States are building one of the most consequential technology partnerships of this decade, supported by major investment in AI infrastructure and advanced technologies. This visit brought that partnership into direct contact with the people who will carry it forward. By engaging with the companies and researchers shaping the field, these 15 Emirati experts gained practical insight and formed relationships that can advance the UAE’s national priorities and deepen cooperation between our countries”.
The delegation was led by Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi, Director of NEP and Secretary General of Emirates Foundation. The delegation also included members of the NEP-AI Program Committee: Shamsa Jaber Alfalasi, Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Mohamed Jalal Al Rayssi, and Andrew Archer, in addition to Mohamed Al Qubaisi, a member of the NEP Program Committee.
The 15 experts were Anood Alkatheeri, Maryam Almansoori, Col. Mohamed Al Obeidli, Hamdan Alameri, Darwish Almarar, Eng. Abdulaziz Nabeel, Eng. Ahmed Hamarain, Eng. Abdalla Alhammadi, Eng. Yaser Alshehhi, May Al Hajeri, Eng. Asya Alshehhi, Capt. Eng. Saif Alhaj, Capt. Hamdan Al Ali, Dr. Mariam Al Harbi and Eng. Ahmed Alshehhi.
The 15 participating experts brought experience from government, industry and national institutions, working across AI engineering, data science, cybersecurity, energy, financial services, public health and space.
The delegation also included six NEP Alumni and Fellows: H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Shimmari, Sumaya Al Hajeri, Dr. Khalid Al Naqbi, Prof. Hoda Alkhzaimi, Eman Al Mughairy, and Chaltham Ali. They drew on insights from previous NEP cohorts to enrich discussions, encourage peer learning and foster knowledge exchange throughout the visit.
The Silicon Valley program gave participants direct exposure to the development of AI products and frontier models, the growth of technology ventures and the decisions that shaped their path from research to practical use. It also examined how governments and technology companies can work together to develop the infrastructure, expertise and institutional relationships required for national AI capacity.
The program opened at Apple, where participants explored on-device intelligence and the role of product design in protecting privacy as AI became more integrated into everyday life.
Over the following days, the focus shifted to AI safety and data intelligence. Participants examined how organisations developed and evaluated advanced systems, before meeting founders and emerging companies to understand how technical ideas could attract investment, become viable businesses and reach users.
At Scale AI, participants explored the role of high-quality data in developing and advancing AI systems, alongside the importance of data intelligence in improving model performance. The visit also examined how startups could build and scale AI-driven businesses, translating technical capabilities into practical solutions and commercial opportunities.
The program also explored the connection between research and company building. At MBZUAI’s Institute of Foundation Models laboratory, participants learned about ongoing work in foundation models and how research could progress toward practical applications.
At OpenAI, the delegation examined how frontier models were developed and evaluated, including the decisions involved in preparing advanced systems for release.
The final day focused on the infrastructure that supports AI at national scale. At NVIDIA, participants examined how computing capacity was developed and how technology companies worked with governments seeking to build national AI capabilities.
The Silicon Valley visit was one of three international study visits within NEP-AI, alongside programs in Canada and China. Together, the visits exposed participants to different approaches to AI research, policy, commercialisation and deployment across leading global technology ecosystems.
Image Credit: National Experts Program
Source: Tahawul Tech