The Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) and the UK Abraham Accords Group (UKAAG) signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday aimed at expanding cooperation between Israel, the United Kingdom and countries participating in the Abraham Accords on artificial intelligence. The agreement was signed at the residence of the British ambassador to Israel.
The MOU follows joint research by HIT and the UKAAG that identified opportunities for regional, AI-driven collaboration in health, energy, education and governance. Officials said the partnership will place particular emphasis on responsible AI principles, professional training programs and developing regional standards and best practices.
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Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) and UK Abraham Accords Group (UKAAG) representatives
(Photo: HIT)
During the ceremony, Hadas Lorber, head of HIT’s Institute for Applied Research in Responsible AI, and Matthew Davies, director of policy at UKAAG, presented findings from the joint research, outlining a shared vision and roadmap for regional AI cooperation. Shahd Asfour, tech policy lead at the British Embassy, highlighted what she described as the importance of “soft power” tools such as technology diplomacy to foster dialogue.
British Ambassador Simon Walters welcomed the initiative and said it aligns with the UK’s support for the Abraham Accords — a set of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states — and with Britain’s interest in responsible technological development.
HIT President Prof. Eduard Yakubov said the partnership positions the technology institute “the center of a regional effort to build practical AI solutions that improve lives and shape the technological future of the Middle East.”
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Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) and UK Abraham Accords Group (UKAAG) representatives
(Photo: HIT)
Davies said AI diplomacy is becoming a growing engine of regional cooperation. “Through this MOU, we are turning research into action and building a framework for concrete projects between the UK, Israel and the Abraham Accords countries,” he said. Promoting multilateral AI cooperation, he added, could mark “a new confidence, energy and coherency in British foreign policy in the Middle East.”
Lorber said the collaboration reflects “a new form of diplomacy — grounded in knowledge, shared responsibility and technological ambition.” Combining the UK’s strength in AI security, Israel’s innovation sector and the “forward-looking vision” of the Abraham Accords partners, she said, could help establish a practical framework for responsible regional progress.
The UK Abraham Accords Group is a British nonpartisan organization that advocates for the United Kingdom to support the normalization process and expand ties in trade, culture and interfaith cooperation with countries participating in the accords.