Cutting-edge, multidisciplinary computing research
Source: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/qcri
Research at QCRI
Arabic Language Technologies
Ensuring that the Arabic language flourishes in the digital world is a priority area of QCRI’s research. We are dedicated to promoting the Arabic language in the information age. Some of our current research projects address the challenges related to lack of content and equally important, extracting that content, analyzing and transforming it.
Research Engineering Group
Founded in 2018, the Research Engineering Group was established with the vision of becoming an innovation hub that generates transformative solutions addressing real-world challenges of both local and global significance. Our mission is to transform QCRI research outcomes into robust, commercially viable products.
Cyber Security
We are living in a time of a paradigm shift towards cyber security attacks on targets such as critical infrastructure, governments and sensitive data.
Qatar Center for Artificial Intelligence
QCRI’s Qatar Center for Artificial intelligence Group research expertise transcends the data science stack - from data extraction and cleaning to analytics, retrieval, inference and prediction.
News and Insights
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Releases Enhanced Flagship Generative AI Platform
Aligned with Qatar’s priority of advancing and safeguarding the Arabic language, culture and heritage, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) recently unveiled the upgraded version of Qatar’s first Arabic generative AI platform, Fanar 2.0.
Launched at the World Summit AI, Fanar 2.0, developed by Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), is a platform with capabilities extending beyond Arabic generative AI to a national, sovereign model and data protection, with development and oversight led by local expertise in line with national priorities.
The new version, among many modifications, brings together a more powerful Arabic language model, deep focus on Arabic with broad dialect support, increased context and model size, as well as advanced reasoning capabilities to boost its strategic thinking and complex decision-making. Fanar 2.0 also features enhanced Arabic content creation, authentic poetry, and culturally intelligent image and video AI, delivered through a modern, simple, and intuitive user experience.
Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid, Executive Director, QCRI, remarked: “With 2.0, we are expanding Fanar’s impact across the Arab world, supporting Arabic-language innovation, advancing ethical AI adoption, and enabling knowledge creation that resonates regionally and globally. This update underlines HBKU’s position as an impact-driven institution, committed to advancing national priorities and future-focused solutions.”
Beyond its technical advancements, Fanar represents a strategic asset for Qatar and the Arab world, addressing existing gaps in global AI systems. The platform reflects HBKU’s commitment to translating research excellence into real-world impact, amplifying digital sovereignty, enabling Arabic knowledge production, and empowering institutions, researchers, and innovators across the region to engage with AI on their own terms.
Through HBKU’s leadership and QCRI’s research expertise, Fanar 2.0 demonstrates how locally grounded, yet globally relevant AI can shape inclusive digital futures.
12 Feb 2026
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Releases Enhanced Flagship Generative AI Platform
12 Feb 2026
Technology Finally Kills the Thayer Method of Teaching: Troubling Times for Educators
14 Jan 2026
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Spotlights Innovation and Expertise at World Summit AI 2025
25 Dec 2025
‘Frugal AI’: This is How MENA Can Catch Up to Global Tech Race
17 Dec 2025
QCRI Summer Internship Program 2025 Draws Strong Participation
17 Dec 2025
HBKU Hosts Interactive Summer Programs Across Colleges and Research Centers
29 Oct 2025
Research on AI and Satellite Imaging Accepted at 2025 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Conference
02 Oct 2025
Delegating Your Thinking to ChatGPT: Are You Becoming Too Comfortable with AI to Think for Yourself?
18 Sep 2025
QCRI Talk Considers Present and Future of Artificial General Intelligence
06 Jul 2025
Events
08Feb 2026
09Feb 2026
Machine Learning and Data Analytics Symposium 2026
27Jul 2025
14Aug 2025
QCRI Creative Space Summer Camp 2025
11May 2025
24Jul 2025
Summer Internship Program 2025
21Jul 2024
01Aug 2024
QCRI Creative Space Summer Camp 2024
12May 2024
25Jul 2024
Summer Research Program 2024
07Dec 2023
09Dec 2023
Generative AI Hackathon
A cornerstone of Qatar’s National Vision is to transform into a knowledge-based economy; growing our national computing and technology capacity is crucial to make this vision reality.
Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid
Executive Director