Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has joined the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi as an advisor to its AI x Arts Fellowship programme, marking a notable intersection between cinema and artificial intelligence.
Announcing the development on X, Kapur said he was “proud” to take on the role, calling it “both an honour and opportunity” to contribute and learn alongside global experts. He also described MBZUAI as “fast emerging as a global hub in research and development in AI”, underlining the UAE’s growing ambitions in the sector.
Known for films like Elizabeth and Bandit Queen, Kapur’s move reflects a broader shift where creative industries are increasingly engaging with AI-led innovation. The fellowship programme is expected to explore how storytelling, filmmaking and artistic expression evolve alongside advancements in machine intelligence.
Kapur has been vocal about AI’s transformative potential. In his recent post, he described it as “the most democratic technology humanity has ever touched,” suggesting that its real impact may emerge beyond corporations and institutions.
“Not from the top of the pyramid. From the bottom. From homes like this,” he wrote, highlighting how AI could expand access to education, design and research.
At the same time, he emphasised that human creativity will remain central. While AI may reshape workflows, Kapur noted that lived experience and intuition cannot be replaced by machines.
His appointment has drawn mixed but largely positive reactions online, with many welcoming the integration of arts into AI research.
The development also aligns with the UAE’s push to position itself as a global AI hub, with institutions like MBZUAI increasingly focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration between technology and the creative arts.
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