His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attended the inaugural Honorary Doctorate conferral at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), where Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, was recognised for his transformative leadership in artificial intelligence. The honour celebrates a lifetime of achievements that have driven AI’s journey from research labs to impactful real-world applications on a global scale.
During the ceremony, His Highness congratulated Sam Altman on receiving MBZUAI’s first honorary doctorate, stating that the award reflects a career of groundbreaking contributions that align with the UAE’s vision of leadership in artificial intelligence and innovation. He emphasised that the UAE continues to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem aimed at serving humanity and fostering inclusive economic and social growth.
The conferral was held at the MBZUAI campus in Abu Dhabi and was attended by ministers, dignitaries, university leaders, faculty, and students.
His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of MBZUAI’s Board of Trustees, said: “Contributing to the UAE’s ambition to create positive global change through advanced technology, the conferral of MBZUAI’s first Honorary Doctorate on Sam Altman is a testament to the university’s growing stature as a global center of excellence in artificial intelligence. Sam is a pioneer whose brilliance and tenacity have made the transformational benefits of AI accessible and impactful for individuals, organizations, and societies worldwide.”
Professor Eric Xing, MBZUAI President and University Professor, said: “Sam Altman has brought artificial intelligence into the hands of people everywhere. He has turned AI from a research concept into a global engine of progress. His vision, conviction, and courage in scaling generative AI have changed how billions of people process, apply and share information. In honoring him today, we recognize not only an extraordinary innovator and leader, but also the enduring legacy he is building in shaping humanity’s future.”
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said: “I am honored to receive MBZUAI’s inaugural honorary doctorate. The university’s commitment to putting AI at the center of education and research is truly commendable. As we enter a new era shaped by AI, the UAE’s bold vision to advance this technology responsibly and ambitiously aligns with our mission to ensure its benefits are widely shared.”