MBZUAI to demonstrate AI as a driving force in energy transformation at ADIPEC 2025

MBZUAI will demonstrate how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of energy at this year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), taking place November 3–6 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. 

Positioned at the AI Zone in front of the Frontier Stage, MBZUAI will exhibit technologies that embody AI as critical infrastructure – driving safety, efficiency, and competitiveness across the energy value chain. From intelligent cooling and autonomous inspection robotics to AI-powered reasoning for support with critical industry decision making, the University’s demonstrations will reflect its role as a catalyst for innovation in the UAE and beyond. 

“AI is no longer just a tool. It is the new infrastructure of progress,” said Sami Haddadin, Vice President of Research and Professor of Robotics at MBZUAI. “At ADIPEC, we’re showcasing frontier research engineered for deployment – from inspection robots that can keep humans from harm by monitoring the integrity and safety of energy assets in hazardous environments, to intelligent cooling that can reduce infrastructure costs, we’re turning frontier AI into safer, smarter, and more sustainable operations.”   

MBZUAI technology highlights include: 

• AI-powered cooling systems: Leveraging intelligent control and ice battery technology to reduce energy consumption and enhance resilience in high-demand environments. 
• Autonomous inspection robotics: Safer, faster inspections powered by advanced computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine reasoning. 
• K2 Think platform: An advanced, open-source AI reasoning system for critical decision-making across grids, plants, and policies.

“By combining academic rigor with industry relevance, we’re helping define AI’s role in enabling a more sustainable, efficient, and secure energy future,” said Ramzi Ben Ouaghren, Director of Industry and AI Innovation at MBZUAI. 

MBZUAI’s participation reinforces the UAE’s leadership in applying AI to global challenges — advancing innovation, creating skilled talent, and building resilient digital infrastructure for the energy transition. 

Faculty and leadership speaking at ADIPEC 2025: 

Frontier Stage – AI Zone 

• Ivan Laptev, Professor of Computer Vision, MBZUAI.
  November 3: 2.20-2.30pm. Frontier Stage. Technology demo: AI in Motion: The Autonomous Future of Inspection
• Elizabeth Churchill, Department Chair and Professor of Human-Computer Interaction, MBZUAI.
  November 4: 9–10.30am. AI Leadership Suite. Roundtable: “The people side of Artificial Intelligence: Enhancing capabilities, safety, growth, and innovation”.
• Olivier Oullier, Visiting Professor of Human-Computer Interaction, MBZUAI.
  November 4: 11am-12pm. ICC Hall A. “Scaling innovations across the energy value chain”.
• Jon Carvill, Vice President of Marketing Communications, MBZUAI.
  November 4: 11.20-11.40am. Frontier Stage. “AI is the new energy infrastructure”.
• Martin Takáč, Associate Professor and Associate Department Chair of Machine Learning, MBZUAI.
  November 5: 11.45-11.55am. Frontier Stage. Technology demo: Turning cooling into power: how AI makes thermal energy a smart battery
• Tim Baldwin, Provost and Professor of Natural Language Processing, MBZUAI.
  November 6: 9.30–11am. Conference Hall A. Roundtable: “Youth and the energy workforce transformation”.
• Ramzi Ben Ouaghren, Director of Industry and AI Innovation, MBZUAI.
  November 6: 12.35-12.50pm. Fireside Chat: “AI innovation – what’s next?”

ADNOC Pavilion 

• Josh Bakita, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, MBZUAI 
  November 4: 4–4.30pm. Technology demo: Innovation showcase, K2 Think.
• Tim Baldwin, Provost and Professor of Natural Language Processing, MBZUAI.
  November 5: 2:15–3.pm. Roundtable: “Are we ready for an AI-native workforce?”

MBZUAI’s participation underlines the UAE’s commitment to leveraging AI for global impact, enabling deep technology transfer across academia, industry, and government.