UAE Energy Ministry and RIT Dubai Sign Agreement on AI for Energy and Infrastructure

Engineer Sharif Al Olama, the ministry's Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, signed for the ministry. Dr Yousef Al Assaf, president of the university, signed for RIT Dubai. The signing took place as part of the ministry's Innovation Month activities, WAM said.

According to the agency, the agreement sets a framework for the two sides to support AI applications, share knowledge and expertise, and encourage academic research and innovation in line with national priorities. It also covers exploring AI-based solutions to improve the ministry's smart services.

The areas of cooperation include applied studies tied to the needs of the energy and infrastructure sectors, and practical training placements for students. Under the arrangement, students would work on real challenges faced by the sectors and use their academic knowledge to develop solutions, which WAM said is meant to build their skills and develop national talent.

The ministry said the agreement is part of a wider effort to work with academic and research institutions, link scientific research to the needs of the sectors it oversees, and draw on academic expertise to study AI applications and improve government services.

WAM's report did not give a value for the agreement, a timeline, or details of specific projects the two sides plan to pursue first.

The agreement adds to a run of AI partnerships between UAE federal bodies and universities and companies, as the government pushes to apply AI across public services. Energy and infrastructure are a particular focus this week, with ADIPEC 2026 under way in Abu Dhabi and energy companies and technology vendors presenting AI tools for operations, maintenance and safety. For the ministry, which oversees areas from petroleum affairs to roads and housing, the university tie-up offers a research partner and a pipeline of trained graduates, though the memorandum does not commit either side to particular projects.