World Economic Forum Adds Five Tech Centres Across UAE, India & Europe

The World Economic Forum has announced the expansion of its Fourth Industrial Revolution Network with five new centres across France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and India, as governments and institutions seek clearer frameworks for governing rapidly advancing technologies.

The United Arab Emirates will host two new centres. In Abu Dhabi, the Centre for Frontier Technologies, hosted by the Technology Innovation Institute, will concentrate on quantum technologies, robotics and space, with a model based on public-private collaboration. A second UAE-based node, the Centre for Intelligent Future at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, will focus on strengthening AI research, infrastructure and innovation linked to societal and economic challenges.

In India, the Centre for Energy and Cyber Resilience in Andhra Pradesh will address innovation-led approaches to the energy transition while strengthening cyber resilience across industries. Its work will span green energy systems, cybersecurity strategies and workforce development, supported by pilot projects, consultations and knowledge exchange.

In Paris, the European Centre for AI Excellence will focus on accelerating responsible artificial intelligence innovation and adoption across sectors, with an emphasis on strengthening Europe’s industrial and technological competitiveness. In London, the Centre for AI-Driven Innovation at Imperial College London will develop advanced AI applications while exploring convergence with fields such as quantum computing, biotechnology and generative AI.

The five centres will join the World Economic Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, launched in 2017, which spans Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas. The Forum said the network is designed to translate technological innovation into practical policy frameworks, pilots and solutions that support governments, businesses and societies navigating emerging technologies.