UAE's ABAI Signs MoU With SignSplit Science on Blockchain-Based Scientific Data Protection

The Association for Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (ABAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SignSplit Science to collaborate on blockchain and artificial intelligence initiatives focused on protecting and commercializing scientific research data as digital assets.

The agreement was announced duringMENA Blockchain Week, where ABAI participated as a strategic partner. The collaboration will target universities, research institutions, and scientific organizations seeking to secure research datasets and intellectual property in the AI economy.

Founded in 2024, ABAI is a Dubai-based non-profit organization focused on supporting blockchain and AI adoption across the UAE and the Gulf region through cooperation between academia, government entities, and industry stakeholders.

SignSplit Science is developing blockchain infrastructure designed to tokenize and verify scientific datasets as digital assets, positioning research data within the broader real-world asset (RWA) tokenization sector. The company operates internationally, including through its UAE presence.

Education and Research Collaboration Focus

Under the agreement, both organizations will cooperate on training and educational initiatives related to blockchain, AI, and emerging technologies. Planned activities include executive education programs, continuing professional development (CPD) initiatives, workshops, seminars, conferences, and research-focused forums in the UAE and internationally.

Mohamed Al Hemairy, Chairman of ABAI, said the partnership reflects a shared focus on advancing responsible blockchain and AI adoption, particularly within research and academic ecosystems.

According to ABAI, the collaboration aims to support innovation communities across the MENA region through educational initiatives focused on intellectual property, blockchain infrastructure, AI applications, and emerging technologies.

SignSplit Science was co-founded by Gleb Denisov and Jimmy Nguyen.

Denisov, a Dubai-based Ukrainian technology entrepreneur, has previously developed software applications for the Ukrainian government and advised the Chairman of the Digital Transformation Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament on technology and AI matters.

Nguyen previously worked as an intellectual property lawyer in the United States for more than two decades and has been involved in the blockchain sector since 2016, including leadership roles within enterprise blockchain ecosystems and blockchain education initiatives across the MENA region.

The companies stated that the collaboration will focus on helping research institutions understand the intellectual property value of scientific datasets and how blockchain infrastructure can be used to authenticate and protect research outputs as digital assets.

Denisov said research datasets have historically been undervalued despite their growing importance in the AI economy, while Nguyen noted that blockchain infrastructure could contribute to more transparent and verifiable scientific ecosystems.

Context and Industry Relevance

The partnership reflects a broader trend of applying blockchain infrastructure to intellectual property management and real-world asset tokenization beyond traditional financial assets. As AI systems increasingly depend on proprietary datasets for training and development, ownership verification and commercialization of research data are becoming larger areas of focus for universities, scientific institutions, and technology firms.

The partnership comes as UAE-based organizations continue expanding blockchain and AI-focused education and infrastructure initiatives across the region.