Abu dhabi: Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) has officially declared 2026 as its ‘Year of AI,’ marking a major institutional commitment to embedding Artificial Intelligence (AI) across education, research, and public engagement. Guided by the slogan, ‘Choose AI, Choose Critical Thinking,’ the initiative positions AI as a tool to enhance learning while strengthening human reasoning, creativity, and ethical awareness.
According to Emirates News Agency, the announcement was made at the conclusion of the international MARIS-AI Symposium (Marine AI and Robotics for Innovation and Sustainability: Advancing Intelligence to Preserve Marine Biodiversity), held on January 21st and 22nd at the SUAD campus. The event offered a powerful launch platform by demonstrating how AI and robotics are already transforming marine science, sustainability, and environmental protection.
Prof. Nathalie Martial-Braz, Chancellor at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, emphasized that by making AI the core theme of their Year of AI, the university embodies a uniquely techno-humanist and holistic vision. This vision combines the excellence of the French academic tradition with the UAE’s forward-looking ambition to accelerate both research and education. She stated that the purpose is to educate citizens who are not only fluent in AI but capable of rigorous reasoning, ethical discernment, and creativity. The aim is to keep human oversight and critical thinking at the center of every use and to turn AI from a black box into a tool that strengthens responsible, informed decision-making for the common good.
MARIS-AI, an officially endorsed United Nation Ocean Decade Activity, brought together academics, industry experts, policymakers, and students from around the world. Leading speakers included Dr. Giulia De Masi, Associate Professor at SUAD; Dr. Francesco Maurelli, Associate Professor of Marine Systems at Constructor University, Germany; Dr. Beatriz Garcia, the Spokesperson for Sustainability and Associate Professor at SUAD, under the leadership of Professor G©rard Biau, Director at SCAI. International experts from institutions such as Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Khalifa University, MBZUAI, NYU Abu Dhabi, and the Italian National Research Council also presented advanced work on ocean sensing, underwater navigation, robotic swarms, and soft robotics.
The symposium showcased how AI-driven technologies such as autonomous underwater vehicles, machine learning models, and edge AI are transforming ocean monitoring, enabling more accurate data, early warning systems, and better protection of marine biodiversity. A panel on sustainability and data governance highlighted the need for responsible frameworks to match technological progress.
The Year of AI reflects both SUAD’s academic vision and the UAE’s national direction, including the National AI Strategy 2031 and the country’s commitment to ethical, secure, and human-centered AI. Through this initiative, SUAD aims to support the UAE’s ambition to be a global leader in artificial intelligence through education, research, and international collaboration.
Throughout 2026, the University will deliver a year-long program of academic and public activities, including major conferences such as the AI SUAD Summit 2026 in April, interdisciplinary forums, research events, and public lectures bringing together experts in science, health, law, ethics, humanities, and technology. Activities led by the Sorbonne Center for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) will further connect researchers and students through workshops, open sessions, and thematic visits across departments.
Across campus, the Year of AI will showcase ongoing initiatives from AI library tools and the NORA chatbot developed by the FLE (French as a Foreign Language) Department, to AI-supported teaching, staff training programs, and school outreach. All activities will be centralized to present SUAD’s AI-driven university vision and made accessible to students, partners, and the wider public. At its core is SUAD’s commitment to equipping students with the critical skills to use AI responsibly, recognizing that while AI can generate answers, students must learn the reasoning and process that lead to them.
This vision is reflected in the Year of AI visual identity, symbolized by a human hand and a robotic hand working together, reflecting that critical thinking and human intelligence are indispensable to harness technology and AI effectively.
By declaring 2026 as the Year of AI, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi strengthens its position as a regional catalyst for responsible innovation, uniting artificial intelligence, sustainability, and critical thinking to shape future-ready generations for a rapidly evolving world.