The Association for Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SignSplit Science to strengthen the protection and commercialization of scientific research data through blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies. The agreement is expected to support universities, research institutions, and scientific organizations in safeguarding research datasets as valuable intellectual property assets in the rapidly evolving AI economy.
The collaboration was officially announced during the MENA Blockchain Week, where ABAI participated as a strategic partner. Industry participants indicated that the partnership reflects growing interest in combining blockchain infrastructure with AI-driven innovation to create new systems for managing and monetizing scientific data.
Expanding Blockchain Applications in Research
ABAI, a Dubai-based non-profit organization established in 2024, focuses on promoting blockchain, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies throughout the UAE and the broader Gulf region. The organization has concentrated on encouraging responsible adoption of digital technologies while strengthening collaboration between governments, academic institutions, enterprises, and innovation ecosystems.
SignSplit Science operates as a blockchain and AI venture developing Web3 infrastructure aimed at helping scientific data owners authenticate, secure, and commercialize research datasets as verified digital assets. The company has been working on a framework that treats research data as tokenized real-world assets, creating new opportunities for ownership verification and controlled commercialization.
The partnership aims to help universities and scientific institutions transform research datasets into protected and verified digital assets using blockchain-based infrastructure.
According to details shared by both organizations, the agreement will include cooperation on multiple educational and professional initiatives. These plans involve the joint development of blockchain and AI training programs, executive education initiatives, continuing professional development activities, and innovation-focused conferences and seminars.
The collaboration is also expected to encourage knowledge-sharing efforts through workshops, forums, meetups, and research discussions involving regional and international innovation communities.
Focus on Education and Intellectual Property Awareness
ABAI Chairman Mohamed Al Hemairy reportedly explained that the partnership aligns with the organization’s broader objective of promoting meaningful and responsible applications of blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies. He also emphasized that SignSplit Science’s strong connections with universities, research institutions, and innovation communities made the collaboration especially valuable for ABAI’s ecosystem development strategy.
Research data is valuable IP! Our #blockchain #AI infrastructure now supports scientific & academic researchers to commercialize datasets as verified, transactable #digitalassets for AI
During @MENABCW, we announce partnership with UAE Association of Blockchain & AI, chaired by… pic.twitter.com/0bsxhQAQV5
— SignSplit (@SignSplitIP) May 20, 2026
Al Hemairy further indicated that the organizations planned to launch initiatives designed to educate and empower institutions across the MENA region with advanced insights into intellectual property, blockchain systems, AI, and emerging technologies.
The agreement includes plans for executive education, blockchain training, research workshops, and professional development programs across the UAE and international markets.
Leadership Brings International Blockchain Expertise
SignSplit Science’s leadership team brings extensive experience from both the blockchain and technology sectors. Chief Executive Officer Gleb Denisov, who is based in Dubai, has previously developed software solutions for the Ukrainian government and served as a technology and AI advisor to the Chairman of the Digital Transformation Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament.
Co-founder Jimmy Nguyen also contributes significant legal and blockchain expertise. He spent more than two decades working as an intellectual property lawyer in the United States before becoming an early blockchain industry leader beginning in 2016. Nguyen has additionally led blockchain conferences and educational initiatives for governments, enterprises, and innovation ecosystems across the MENA region and international markets.
Leveraging its international expertise, SignSplit Science is expected to contribute educational content aimed at researchers, academic institutions, scientific creators, and innovation-focused communities. The initiative seeks to improve understanding of how research datasets can hold substantial intellectual property value in an AI-driven economy.
The collaboration is designed to increase awareness of research data ownership and demonstrate how blockchain technology can authenticate and secure scientific outputs within a transparent digital ecosystem.
Denisov reportedly stated that scientific research data had historically been undervalued despite its growing importance as a strategic intellectual property asset. Nguyen also explained that the partnership with ABAI would help more researchers understand how blockchain and AI technologies can authenticate and secure research outputs while supporting a more transparent and innovative scientific environment.
