MBZUAI to Host Milestone International Conference on Computational Linguistics in Abu Dhabi

Abu dhabi: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is set to host the 31st International Conference on Computational Linguistics (COLING 2025) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from January 19 to 24, 2025. This prestigious event, organized under the auspices of the International Committee on Computational Linguistics (ICCL), marks the first time the conference will take place in the MENA region, showcasing Abu Dhabi as a growing hub for artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP). According to Emirates News Agency, COLING is renowned as one of the leading conferences in NLP and AI globally. The 2025 edition will feature a comprehensive program including a main conference, numerous workshops, tutorials, and other events designed to foster dialogue and innovation among experts in the field. This event follows the 2022 Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (EMNLP) and signifies Abu Dhabi's increasing prominence in hosting majo r AI and NLP events. Professor Preslav Nakov, chair of the NLP department at MBZUAI and local committee chair for COLING 2025, expressed enthusiasm about bringing this significant conference to Abu Dhabi. He highlighted the opportunity to bring together top minds in AI and NLP to address global and regional challenges through advanced language technology. Professor Timothy Baldwin, provost at MBZUAI, also emphasized the conference's role in highlighting Abu Dhabi's leadership in AI and addressing the unique linguistic challenges of the region. The conference is expected to attract around 1,500 participants and will include nine tutorials and 22 workshops. A special feature of this event will be the First Winter School on Arabic Natural Language Processing and Computational Linguistics, a two-day initiative aimed at advancing Arabic NLP and computational linguistics through interdisciplinary networking and skill development. Professor Nizar Habash, a member of the local organizing committee from NYUAD and M BZUAI, detailed the Winter School's program, which will encompass expert-led tutorials, hands-on workshops, and sessions on ongoing research in Arabic NLP and computational linguistics. Since its inception in 1965, COLING has been held biennially in various parts of the world, attracting participants from leading research centers and academia. The 2025 conference in Abu Dhabi not only continues this tradition but also marks a significant milestone in the region's involvement in the global AI and NLP community.