Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK Sharjah) announced a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the Global Centre for AI Excellence (GCAIE), a UK-headquartered organisation specialising in AI governance, institutional readiness and value-driven AI adoption.

The agreement was signed at SPARK Sharjah’s headquarters in Sharjah. It was announced in the presence of senior officials and executives from both sides. The move highlights efforts to strengthen Sharjah’s position on the global artificial intelligence map.

Under the partnership, the organisations will deploy the Global AI Excellence Model (GAIEM). This internationally recognised framework enables governments, enterprises and innovation ecosystems to implement artificial intelligence in a secure, ethical and economically measurable way.

Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SPARK, said the collaboration reflects Sharjah’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence as a strategic driver of sustainable economic growth. He added that the partnership embeds international best practices in AI governance, leadership development and value creation, positioning Sharjah as a competitive hub for trusted AI deployment.

As part of the collaboration, SPARK Sharjah and GCAIE revealed plans to jointly work on several initiatives, including:

• Developing AI leadership capabilities, professional capacity and certified assessors
• Supporting AI governance, safety and trust frameworks
• Accelerating AI commercialisation, applied use cases and measurable ROI

In addition, the partnership will support productivity gains, operational efficiency and economic diversification aligned with future-ready industries. It will also establish AI innovation programmes, sector-focused pilots and capability-building initiatives.

According to international forecasts reported by industry sources, artificial intelligence is expected to contribute more than US$15 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Productivity in some sectors could increase by up to 40%. However, many organisations continue to face challenges related to governance, trust and return on investment.

The agreement positions Sharjah as a proactive participant in addressing these challenges through structured and results-oriented AI deployment. This approach is increasingly demanded by governments, investors and international institutions.

The partnership also reinforces growing collaboration between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom in advanced technologies, innovation governance and digital transformation.

GCAIE works with public and private institutions across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, supporting national AI strategies and institutional AI maturity. Its partnership with SPARK Sharjah marks an expansion of its engagement in the UAE and the wider region.

The agreement aligns with Sharjah’s long-term strategy to become a regional and global hub for research, advanced technologies and innovation, with artificial intelligence identified as a core pillar.

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