Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi announced a strategic partnership with SAL, a company specializing in artificial intelligence and big data products developed in the UAE, with the aim of advancing the research and innovation ecosystem and exchanging knowledge in the fields of artificial intelligence, sovereign artificial intelligence, and agent artificial intelligence.

This collaboration was unveiled at the Make in UAE 2026 exhibition, where the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing this partnership. The MoU reflects their shared commitment to supporting the UAE's ambitions in advanced technologies and their keenness to contribute effectively to the development of a knowledge-based digital economy. The MoU was signed by Mr. Guillaume Hosse, Head of Public Relations, Sponsorship, Communications and Marketing, on behalf of Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Director of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Mr. Vikraman Podoval, CEO of Saal.ai.

The agreement aims to integrate the academic and research expertise of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi with SAL's capabilities in enterprise AI platforms, sovereign AI infrastructure, and proxy AI technologies. This collaboration will contribute to developing local AI capabilities, aligning with the UAE's national vision for artificial intelligence and its broader digital transformation program.

The collaboration also aims to enhance interaction between academia and the artificial intelligence sector, and to support the growth of a sustainable sovereign AI ecosystem in the UAE. This will be achieved through launching joint research initiatives, programs dedicated to AI innovation, talent development, and structured exchange of knowledge and expertise.

This partnership combines academic expertise with practical application capabilities, contributing to the development of reliable AI solutions and frameworks based on local requirements, which will meet national and regional priorities, while supporting the concepts of sovereignty, governance, and operational control.

This partnership aligns with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence, ” reflecting the university’s ongoing commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research, supporting emerging technologies, and developing talent capable of meeting future demands. The university continues to solidify its presence in AI education, research, and innovation within the UAE through the efforts of the Sorbonne Center for Artificial Intelligence, alongside academic programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a specialization in Data Science for Artificial Intelligence.

Commenting on the matter, Dr. Xavier Fresquet, Director of the Sorbonne Center for Artificial Intelligence at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said: “Partnerships between academic institutions and the applied sector are gaining increasing importance in light of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence technologies, including sovereign and agent AI systems, across various sectors and societal fields. At the Sorbonne Center for Artificial Intelligence, our focus is not only on enabling students to understand these technologies, but also on empowering them to use them practically and interact with AI-enabled environments, which are playing a pivotal role in shaping professional practices worldwide. Research collaboration with industry partners is a cornerstone in supporting the models, technical architectures, and autonomous agent systems being developed within our laboratories, transforming them into advanced sovereign technology solutions characterized by reliability and security. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing AI research, developing talent, and fostering innovation ecosystems, in line with the UAE’s strategic vision.”

Vikraman Podhval, CEO of SAL, said: “This partnership represents a qualitative leap towards developing an advanced national sovereign AI ecosystem in the UAE, characterized by complete independence and self-sufficiency. We seek to combine academic excellence and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence to accelerate the development of agent AI and activate the participation of local talent in this landscape. Our core objective is to transform our advanced research into effective, real-world systems that serve national priorities and enhance the UAE’s position in the field of trusted AI.”

About Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi  

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi was established in 2006 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, becoming the first French university in the United Arab Emirates. A branch of Sorbonne University in Paris, it is licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. Building on over 768 years of academic excellence from both Sorbonne University and Paris-City University, the university offers more than 20 undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of arts and humanities, law, economics, business administration, data science, and engineering. Doctoral programs are also available upon request from faculties offering doctoral degrees in France. All degrees are awarded jointly by Sorbonne University and Paris-City University and are accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation .

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi boasts the largest French-language academic library in the Arabian Gulf region, alongside the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Innovation and Research Institute (SAFIR), which supports research and innovation across seven specialized centers in vital areas including artificial intelligence, the humanities, and marine sciences. SAFIR provides access to a network of over 17,000 researchers and industry research partners . A vibrant cultural hub, the university is committed to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi was named Best University for Arts and Humanities in the 2019 Forbes Middle East Higher Education Awards and has graduated over 3,200 students from more than 90 nationalities. It also won first place in the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Environmental Award in the Environmental Research Institution category. In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, the university ranked second in the UAE for responsible consumption and production . Globally, Sorbonne University ranks 43rd in the 2025 Shanghai Ranking of World Universities, sixth globally in mathematics and 29th in physics, and was ranked the best university in communication in France by Le Figaro Etudes 2025. Meanwhile, Paris City University ranked 60th globally in the 2025 Shanghai Ranking of World Universities.

For more information, please visit the website : www.sorbonne.ae

About Sal Company

SAL is one of the companies of Abu Dhabi Capital Group, and is a leader in artificial intelligence solutions, enabling companies in various sectors to improve their operational efficiency and enhance the innovation environment.

Through a suite of locally developed products and platforms – including AgendiX , GovernX DigiXT , Academy X , Dataprism360 and Market Hub – SAL delivers tailor-made solutions to drive digital transformation in sectors such as defense, healthcare, oil and gas, smart cities and education.

Driven by a vision of massive growth and improved lives, SAAL ( SAAL.ai ) is dedicated to harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence to help businesses streamline their operations, enhance decision-making, and create a more suitable future for all people.

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