Abu Dhabi has positioned itself at the forefront of sustainable technology innovation through the successful conclusion of the International Conference on AI and Materials for Sustainability (AIMS 2025). Hosted by IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi from December 15-17, 2025, the event assembled over 400 delegates and 100 speakers from 20+ countries, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s research ecosystem.
The conference, strategically aligned with the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 and Net Zero 2050 objectives, facilitated deep technical exchanges across 24 sessions, 4 specialized workshops, and 200+ research presentations. Core themes included AI-driven materials discovery, data-driven energy modeling, carbon capture technologies, circular economy strategies, and experimental science applications.
Professor Mohammad Ali Haider, Vice Provost for Research at IITD-AD, framed the discussions within historical context, noting how ancient mathematical innovations from Āryabhaṭa and algorithmic foundations from Al-Khwārizmi connect to contemporary sustainability challenges. This philosophical approach was complemented by practical demonstrations of Abu Dhabi’s leadership, including nearby Masdar City’s urban innovations and the Al Reyadah carbon capture facility.
The event featured collaborative participation from Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, MBZUAI, and IRENA, highlighting the emirate’s growing research network. Particular emphasis was placed on nurturing early-career researchers through direct mentorship opportunities and workshops on data-driven design, AI workflows, and lab-to-industry pathways.
AIMS 2025 represented the culmination of IITD-AD’s year-long engagement initiative, following earlier events on quantum technology, carbon capture, and AI security. Immediately subsequent to the conference, a new workshop on photonics and genomics launched Indo-Norwegian healthcare collaborations, further extending Abu Dhabi’s interdisciplinary influence.
Executive Director Professor Shantanu Roy declared the conference a defining moment for both IITD-AD’s institutional development and Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a regional hub for scientific collaboration and sustainable innovation.