Abu Dhabi — Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is the inaugural honoree to receive an honorary doctorate from the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). The honor was bestowed at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council, in attendance.
MBZUAI stated the award acknowledges the contribution of Altman in advancing artificial intelligence from research at the university level into practical applications. As co-founder of ChatGPT and other OpenAI offerings, Altman has been credited with opening the doors of AI to the world's billions of users.
The ceremony was graced with the presence of ministers, dignitaries, and university leaders. MBZUAI leaders congratulated Altman, drawing attention to how the award is in line with the UAE's future vision of becoming a global hub for AI innovation.
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Board of Trustees Chairman of MBZUAI, described the doctorate as a testament to the university's position as an international center of excellence. MBZUAI President Professor Eric Xing lauded Altman for transforming AI from a research idea to "an engine of progress" globally.
Altman, acknowledging the UAE’s ambitions, commended MBZUAI’s commitment to advancing AI responsibly. He noted that the UAE’s bold vision matches OpenAI’s mission to ensure AI’s benefits are broadly shared.
The honor comes as OpenAI expands its connections with the UAE. Its lead partner, Microsoft, has set up significant AI facilities and data centers in the country. For the UAE, AI is at the heart of its diversification strategy and leadership in global technology.
