NYU Abu Dhabi unveils UAE’s first AI and Data Science master’s

Abu Dhabi: In a major boost to the UAE’s higher education and innovation landscape, NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has announced the launch of a Master’s in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MIDSAI) — the first of its kind in the country. The new programme strengthens NYUAD’s growing range of graduate studies and underscores its role in driving the UAE’s knowledge-based economy.

The announcement comes as Times Higher Education ranks NYU among the world’s top 35 universities, cementing NYUAD’s status as the highest globally ranked university in the UAE.

The two-year, research-intensive MIDSAI programme will equip students with advanced expertise in AI and data science, drawing on NYU’s global academic strength. Designed to be interdisciplinary, the curriculum will integrate insights from Data Science, Engineering, Science, and Social Sciences. Students will also gain from NYU’s international network, collaborating with peers and faculty across campuses in Abu Dhabi, New York, and Shanghai. Applications are now open, with the first batch set to begin in autumn 2026.

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In addition to academic excellence, NYUAD will offer competitive merit-based scholarships for international students, further enhancing its global appeal.

The announcement coincides with the arrival of the first cohort of NYUAD’s PhD in Astrophysics and Space Systems (PASS) — another groundbreaking programme in the UAE. The inaugural class includes six students, half of them Emirati, reflecting the country’s growing investment in developing homegrown scientific talent and advancing its space ambitions.  

NYUAD’s rapid academic growth is mirrored by its expanding community. The university now has over 2,200 students, with around 60% choosing to remain in the UAE after graduation, directly contributing to the national workforce. Alumni achievements include 24 Rhodes Scholars, underscoring the university’s global reputation for academic excellence.

On the research front, NYUAD continues to make its mark internationally — home to four Nobel Laureates and more than 90 faculty-led labs and projects that have produced over 9,500 research publications. According to the Nature Index, NYUAD ranks first in the UAE for publications in top global science journals.

With the launch of MIDSAI and continued expansion of its graduate programmes, NYU Abu Dhabi is positioning itself not just as a regional leader, but as a global hub for future-ready education, driving innovation and nurturing talent that will shape the world’s next technological frontiers.