Abu dhabi: Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) has launched a nationwide short film competition inviting students across the UAE to imagine how artificial intelligence (AI) could shape the university, its students, and the wider society over the next 20 years.
According to Emirates News Agency, the competition, titled "20 Years, 20 Visions: Imagining the Next 20 Years of SUAD with AI," is a key component of the university's Year of AI 2026 and its upcoming 20th anniversary celebrations. The initiative is open to high school students in Grades 10 to 12 and undergraduate university students from a variety of disciplines. Participants are tasked with producing an original three-minute film exploring Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi's journey, its impact, and its future in AI and innovation.
The competition encourages students to envision how AI could transform the university experience, including new ways of learning and researching, as well as the careers and communities shaped by the next generation of graduates. This initiative aligns with the UAE's national vision and the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which aims to position the country as a global leader in AI and advance innovation and knowledge-based industries.
Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Chancellor of SUAD, emphasized the importance of the competition as part of the Year of AI 2026. She stated that Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is focused on integrating AI across education, research, and creative disciplines. The competition invites students to reflect on the university's evolution and its future in an AI-driven world, engaging with the ethical, cultural, and societal dimensions of new technologies. She also highlighted that the initiative supports the UAE's vision for an innovative, knowledge-driven future and reinforces the university's commitment to enabling students to develop critical skills creatively and meaningfully.
Dr. Xavier Fresquet, Director of the Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence, expressed the centre's commitment to advancing research and education in AI across disciplines and strengthening collaboration between students, academic teams, and industry partners. He encouraged students to use the competition as an opportunity to present their visions for the future.