Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence signs collaboration agreement with TOTAL

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, SUAD, signed a cooperation agreement with Total E&P and Thales International on creation of an Industrial Chair in the field of Artificial Intelligence, AI, at the university’s headquarters in Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi.

His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Professor Jean Chambaz, President of Sorbonne University and Vice- Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Christophe Sassolas, President Total E&P UAE and Total Country Chair in the UAE, and Pascale Sourisse, President Thales International signed the agreement.

The signing ceremony brought together representatives from Total and Thales Group, alongside faculty and staff from the university. Nusseibeh expressed his delight for the recent opening of the artificial intelligence facility, which will host its first chair with the support of French companies- Total and Thales Group.

He stated, "We start the new year with hope and optimism. With a new Board of Directors at the helm of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, we strive to embark on a development strategy that integrates research and education with new Executive Education programmes on AI that focus on machine learning and data science."

Professor Chambaz commented,"This agreement is the first of many educational and research programmes at Sorbonne Center for Artificial Intelligence and we welcome Total and Thales Group as the key stakeholders in this innovative venture. The aim of cooperating with partners from the UAE and France is to support research in the field, create knowledge, and to integrate AI into the sustainable development initiatives of the UAE."

Christophe Sassolas added, "By bringing the Sorbonne’s best researchers and Total use cases in close vicinity with Abu Dhabi ecosystem of research institutions and industry, we are contributing to define the future of AI in the energy sector. We are proud to bring this opportunity for the next generation of UAE talents."