UAE’s ATRC Unveils Global Tech R&D Platform at WGS 2024

Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) made waves during the opening day of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024 with the introduction of an innovative initiative. Termed the ‘ATRC Global Tech R&D Platform’, this groundbreaking endeavor aims to provide worldwide access to state-of-the-art technological solutions. The platform acts as a conduit for nations globally to leverage the UAE’s technological prowess in addressing their specific challenges.

As the driving force behind Abu Dhabi’s and the UAE’s advanced research and development (R&D) landscape, this initiative reflects ATRC’s dedication to fostering inclusive growth and global prosperity. In an era marked by swift technological evolution, the platform endeavors to bridge the technology divide experienced by nations worldwide, offering tailored solutions to meet their urgent requirements.

To kickstart applications through the platform, ATRC has earmarked US$200 million in funding to expedite innovation, particularly targeting emerging and developing nations. By assuming resource and research costs, this funding stream facilitates the development of sophisticated technology solutions, enabling these nations to stay abreast of the latest advancements.

The ATRC Global Tech R&D Platform welcomes applications from governments, organizations, and eligible stakeholders worldwide, prioritizing collaboration and inclusivity. Through a meticulous evaluation process, initiatives aligning with the platform’s mission will receive support across six priority sectors: Aerospace and Space; Food and Agriculture; Healthcare; Safety and Security; Sustainability, Environment, and Energy; and Transport.

H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of ATRC, emphasizes the initiative’s profound global impact, stating: “Our commitment is to empower every nation with the means to thrive in this technology-driven world. ATRC stands ready to partner with countries worldwide, leveraging our expertise in technology to address their challenges and drive collective progress in the AI-driven era.”

Over nearly four years, ATRC has cultivated a robust R&D ecosystem, boasting over 850 researchers from more than 70 countries. It has developed a comprehensive ecosystem supporting every crucial stage of technology development. ASPIRE, its entity, crowdsources global talent through grand challenges and competitions, identifying technology gaps with its clients. The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) focuses on applied research with deliberate outcomes, housing leading researchers and scientists, while VentureOne commercializes solutions, transitioning R&D products and services from lab to market.

ATRC offers a wide array of capabilities spanning quantum and AI, autonomous robotics, cryptography, advanced materials, propulsion, and space, guiding technology needs from conception to innovation. From pinpointing an entity’s technological pain points to crafting tailored R&D solutions, ATRC orchestrates the complete technology advancement lifecycle for companies and countries in need of support. Situated at a global nexus, it extends its outreach worldwide, fostering innovation on a truly global scale.

Al Bannai is scheduled to address a plenary session at the World Governments Summit, sharing insights on AI’s evolution and emerging opportunities.

Dr. Ray O. Johnson, CEO of ATRC’s global applied research arm, TII, expressed optimism regarding the fund’s potential to catalyze innovation, stating: “Through this platform, we will help identify untapped innovation around the world, unleashing the power of transformative technologies and sparking economic growth.”

ATRC urges nations to collaborate and contribute to the global technological landscape. For further details on the ATRC Tech R&D Fund, interested parties can contact the Council via ASPIRE at aspireuae.ae.

“We’re here to identify technology gaps and facilitate sophisticated solutions that countries may need to explore for a resilient future,” said Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE.

In a similar bid to support the broader adoption of advanced technologies, last year, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) was among the pioneers to open-source its world-ranking large language model, Falcon 40B, under the Apache 2.0 license, royalty-free.