Mohamed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence has announced the launch of the Institute for Foundational Models (IFM), marking a strategic step to support advanced global AI research.
The institute includes the opening of a new research center in Silicon Valley, specifically in Sunnyvale, becoming the third research hub in the university’s global network, alongside centers in Paris and Abu Dhabi.
The institute aims to foster global collaboration in foundational model development, attracting elite researchers and startups through its new center integrated with California’s vibrant AI ecosystem.
Professor Eric Xing, University President, stated:
“The Institute for Foundational Models marks a pivotal point to accelerate collaboration and pioneering model development. Our expansion into Silicon Valley strengthens our presence in one of the world’s most important innovation ecosystems.”
The launch featured the innovative PAN model, capable of simulating real-world scenarios using multimodal inputs like video, language, and physical data, with advanced hierarchical reasoning and planning abilities.
Also showcased was PAN-Agent, a versatile AI agent designed for solving mathematical and programming problems in dynamic simulation environments.
In line with the university’s commitment to transparency and open development, the institute announced work on two advanced models:
- K2-65B: A large language model with exceptional reasoning and problem-solving capabilities and high computational efficiency.
- Jais: One of the most advanced Arabic models supporting Modern Standard Arabic and dialects, recognized as one of the first culturally-aware multilingual models.
The university affirmed that IFM will set a global standard for research transparency via the LLM360 initiative, providing open-source codes and training data with international advisory boards ensuring scientific integrity.
The institute brings together specialized teams in model design, evaluation frameworks, and security systems, blending startup agility with the strength of global research institutions.
