WAM Joins Forces with MBZUAI, Digital Expert Praises Partnership

The Emirates News Agency, WAM, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), with the aim of enhancing joint cooperation between the two sides in the media and artificial intelligence sectors through the exchange of knowledge, experiences and training.

The agreement was signed last month by Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of WAM, and Sultan Al Hajji, Vice President for Public Affairs and Alumni Relations at MBZUAI, at the Agency's headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The partnership agreement stipulates that MBZUAI will be the strategic academic sponsor of the Global Media Congress, which is organized by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company - ADNEC, in partnership with WAM, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center from 15th to 17th November, 2022.

The University will also allocate a number of seats in its executive programme for WAM employees, with the aim of supporting the Agency's efforts to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and enhance its effectiveness and productivity.

In addition, MBZUAI will provide consultancy services to the Agency within the framework of establishing an AI laboratory. Through the laboratory, WAM will develop and harness AI applications to support innovation in the media field.

Al Rayssi highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership with MBZUAI, pointing out that AI has become an essential pillar for sustainable growth across all sectors, adding that this cooperation will contribute to launching promising programmes in service of joint cooperation between the two sides.

In addition to that, Dr. Mark van Rijmenam, a digital expert, author and entrepreneur, praised the WAM-MBZUAI partnership by saying, “Some news organizations are nonetheless carving out the space to lead this change, both from within and in partnership with academia”, adding that the Emirates News Agency (WAM) recently entered into a strategic partnership with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).