Sharjah’s SPARK Partners With UK Centre To Deploy Global AI Excellence Model

Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) has entered a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the UK-based Global Centre for AI Excellence (GCAIE). This collaboration centers on the deployment of the Global AI Excellence Model, which serves as an international benchmark for governance and institutional readiness. The agreement was signed at the SPARK headquarters in Sharjah to enhance the region's position within the global technology sector.

The initiative utilizes the GAIEM framework and the SCALE assessment tool to evaluate organizational maturity across multiple levels. These tools help transition AI from simple pilot phases to full-scale production in a secure and ethically measurable way. Workstreams include developing leadership capacity, establishing safety protocols, and accelerating the commercialization of applied use cases to drive measurable productivity.

Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SPARK, noted that the partnership reflects Sharjah’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence as a strategic driver of economic growth. He emphasized that embedding international best practices in governance is essential for creating a competitive and trusted hub. The goal is to translate technological ambition into tangible outcomes for both the government and private sectors.

The Global AI Excellence Model addresses the governance and ROI challenges that currently limit the utility of platforms like ChatGPT in professional environments. While ChatGPT is a versatile engine for content generation, GAIEM provides the industrial-grade framework necessary for secure and measurable deployment. It effectively competes in the marketplace by offering the safety, ethics, and accountability standards that raw AI models often lack.

Global forecasts suggest that AI could contribute over $15 trillion to the economy by 2030, with productivity gains reaching up to 40 percent in some sectors. Despite this potential, many institutions struggle to move beyond the experimentation phase due to safety and efficiency concerns. This partnership aims to bridge that gap by offering a results-oriented approach that investors and international institutions increasingly require.

Deployment of the model and its associated innovation programs is set to begin immediately following the signing in January 2026. Certified assessors and AI leadership programs will be established throughout the first half of the year to build professional capacity. This rapid rollout ensures that Sharjah stays ahead of the curve in implementing future-ready industrial solutions for the region.