Central Bank of the UAE has issued commemorative gold and silver coins to mark the fifth anniversary of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, underscoring the country’s effort to anchor advanced research and talent development at the core of its economic strategy.The issuance recognises a university that has moved quickly from concept to global visibility. Established in Abu Dhabi in 2019, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, known as MBZUAI, was the world’s first graduate-level, research-based institution dedicated solely to artificial intelligence. Five years on, it has become a focal point for postgraduate training, industry collaboration and applied research across machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing and robotics.
According to the Central Bank, the commemorative series comprises gold and silver coins designed to reflect the university’s role in advancing scientific knowledge and supporting national priorities in technology and innovation. The coins are not intended for circulation as legal tender but are issued as collector and commemorative items, following a long-standing practice by the monetary authority to mark milestones of national significance through numismatic releases.
The gold coin carries a higher face value and is produced in limited quantity, aimed primarily at collectors and institutions, while the silver version is more widely available. Both feature inscriptions highlighting the fifth anniversary of MBZUAI and visual elements associated with artificial intelligence and advanced research, alongside official emblems linked to the UAE’s monetary system.
CBUAE honours five years of MBZUAI in a move that aligns symbolic recognition with policy direction. The central bank has increasingly positioned itself as a supporter of innovation ecosystems, particularly where financial systems intersect with digital transformation, data science and emerging technologies. By commemorating an academic institution rather than a financial milestone, the bank signals a broader understanding of economic resilience built on knowledge, research capacity and future skills.
MBZUAI’s leadership has repeatedly framed the university as a bridge between academia, industry and government. Its programmes focus exclusively on postgraduate education, offering master’s and doctoral degrees with full scholarships to students from a wide range of countries. Instruction and research are conducted in English, and the faculty includes researchers with backgrounds in leading global universities and technology firms.
Since its launch, the university has expanded its research output and partnerships. It has entered collaborations with multinational technology companies, regional industry players and public-sector entities seeking to apply artificial intelligence to areas such as healthcare, energy, climate modelling, smart cities and public administration. These partnerships have helped translate academic research into practical applications, a factor often highlighted by policymakers as essential for economic diversification.
The commemorative coin issuance also reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader ambition to position itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence. MBZUAI operates within a wider ecosystem that includes government-backed research initiatives, sovereign investment in technology companies and regulatory frameworks designed to attract talent and capital. This ecosystem has gained prominence as countries compete to secure leadership in AI development amid rapid advances and rising geopolitical interest in the technology.
For the Central Bank, the move sits alongside its own efforts to adapt to technological change. The institution has been active in areas such as digital payments, financial infrastructure modernisation and regulatory approaches to innovation within the banking sector. By linking its brand to an AI-focused university, the bank reinforces a narrative that financial stability and innovation are complementary rather than competing objectives.
The issuance comes at a time when universities worldwide are under pressure to demonstrate tangible impact. Artificial intelligence research, in particular, has faced scrutiny over ethical considerations, data governance and societal implications. MBZUAI has sought to address these concerns by embedding ethics, policy and responsible AI into its research agenda, a stance that has helped shape its international profile.
Collectors and observers note that commemorative coins issued by the Central Bank often become markers of policy eras as much as celebrations of events. Previous releases have highlighted national achievements, leadership milestones and strategic initiatives. The decision to commemorate MBZUAI places artificial intelligence alongside these themes, elevating it to a symbol of national progress.
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