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Explore how AI is redefining creativity

The AI x Arts Fellowship brings together artists, technologists, and thinkers to investigate how AI is adding value to art practices and redefining human creativity.

We want fellows to serve as creative ambassadors, able to translate their experience into artworks, dialogues, and insights that connect technological innovation with cultural advancement.

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Who is it for?

Artists
Technologists
Scientists
Cultural thinkers

Program components

The Academy program delivers an inspiring mix of AI workshops within the thriving arts and culture ecosystem of Abu Dhabi. Fellows can expect:

Technical exploration
Experiment with emerging AI tools and technologies.
Philosophical dialogue
Converse with artists, scholars, and cultural thinkers.
Cultural immersion
Engage with leading cultural and technological institutions such as the Louvre, Guggenheim, TeamLab, etc.
Peer exchange
Enjoy sustained dialogue and collaboration with a global cohort.
Documentation and commissions
Get support for development or public presentation.

Fellowship timeline

Fellows are expected to participate in two residency periods which feature a diverse range of programs including technical workshops, masterclasses, and local immersion activities.


April 2026 (one week)
Coincides with major art and cultural
exhibitions across Abu Dhabi


November 2026 (one week)
Coincides with Frieze Abu Dhabi and
the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial
Applications are currently closed.

Program benefits

The fellowship provides practical learning, cultural access, and opportunities to expand artistic thought and practice.

Research and mentorship
Engage directly with MBZUAI researchers and technologists, and learn through guided, hands-on experimentation.

Cultural access and immersion
Get exclusive access to Abu Dhabi’s museums, cultural districts, and creative leaders – and exposure to global art and technology platforms.

Creative development and commissioning
Enjoy opportunities for funding, documentation, and public presentation of work.

Community and collaboration
Join a global network of peers and mentors spanning disciplines and geographies.

Visibility and impact
Share your work through exhibitions, talks, and media engagements throughout Abu Dhabi – and beyond.

Learn more about how the fellowship provides practical learning, cultural access, and opportunities to expand artistic thought and practice.

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Our AI x Arts Fellowship is a world first. It shows how AI can enrich rather than replace human creativity, and brings artists from around the world to Abu Dhabi to push the boundaries of art in the modern age.

Spring Fu, Managing Director of The Academy

FAQs

Applications are currently closed. Please keep checking the site regularly or sign up to our newsletter for any updates.
The fellowship seeks individuals who bring creative rigor, openness, and distinctive viewpoints.
Selection criteria:
– Demonstrated contribution: Evidence of meaningful artistic, cultural, or intellectual work, shown through practice, research, or community engagement.
– Curiosity and openness: A willingness to explore new ideas, question assumptions, and work with unfamiliar tools and methods.
– Cross-disciplinary perspective: Applicants from across artistic, technical, and scholarly domains are encouraged, including those whose practices bridge fields.
– Diversity of experience: Candidates may represent a range of geographic, cultural, and experiential backgrounds. Both emerging and established voices are welcome.
– Cohort balance: In shaping the inaugural group, we will consider how different perspectives and backgrounds complement one another. Selection reflects individual merit as well as the collective balance of the cohort.

Please note: Nomination or application does not guarantee selection.
Fellows are asked to participate in two residencies, each lasting no more than one
week:
– April (dates to be confirmed)
– Mid-November (aligned with Frieze Abu Dhabi)
Each residency blends participation in major cultural events, technical workshops at
MBZUAI, and collaboration with peers.
Between residencies, fellows have the opportunity to develop ideas or prototypes
that could evolve into commissioned work.
Yes. All flights, accommodation, transportation, and logistics during residency periods are fully covered by MBZUAI.
There is no stipend or honorarium.
However, the fellowship covers all program-related expenses and provides access to major Abu Dhabi cultural institutions, leading AI researchers, and opportunities for collaborative development with a global cohort of practitioners.
Yes. A dedicated commissioning fund supports work emerging from the fellowship—either individual projects or collaborations developed within the cohort.