1,000 apply to MBZUAI; Brazilian AI startup to pitch at AIM 2020

From the archive...

Good morning,

Welcome to this week’s edition of Middle East AI News!

Announced this week, Honeywell has been piloting an autonomous building sustainability solution at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University in Dubai, demonstrating 10% energy savings. The cloud-based solution uses machine learning to automatically optimise building energy settings, whilst keeping the comfort of residents 'in mind'.

Scroll down for updates on this week's Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge, graduate applications to Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, plus a Brazilian AI startup that is coming to Dubai for the Annual Investment Meeting to pitch for funding!

See also the list of notable AI events at the end of the newsletter.

Have a great weekend!

/Carrington

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Startup News

Brazilian AI startup to compete in AIM 2020 pitch contest

#UAE #Brazil #startups - Brazilian computer vision startup MVISIA focused on industry and agroindustry has been selected by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce participate in a global startup pitch at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2020 taking place 24 to 26 March. (ANBA)

Energy

How artificial intelligence can revolutionise the Middle East energy sector

#GCC #energy - A new “Artificial Intelligence: Transforming the Future of Energy and Sustainability' report from McKinsey & Company highlights the potential for AI applications in the Middle East energy sector amid a flurry of investments in renewables such as solar and wind. (Arab News)

Smart Cities

Honeywell pilots first autonomous building sustainability solution

#UAE #smartcities - Honeywell has developed a cloud-based, closed-loop, machine learning solution that automatically optimises energy settings. The Honeywell Forge Energy Optimisation solution was piloted at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) in Dubai, demonstrating an initial 10% energy savings. (Fierce Electronics)

Agriculture

ADAFSA develops smart algorithm to eradicate goat plague

#UAE #agriculture - Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) developed a smart algorithm to eradicate Paste des Petits Ruminants, PPR (also known as sheep and goat plague) and boost animals’ immune system. The algorithm works by connecting together PPR vaccination data and animal identification and registration system data, to fight the disease according to its impact on animals. (WAM)

Education

More than 1,000 students apply for places at world's first AI university in Abu Dhabi

#UAE #education - More than 1,000 students are vying for places at the world's first dedicated artificial intelligence university in Abu Dhabi. The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence will swing open its doors in August, with demand high from those eager to be part of the inaugural class of 2020. (The National)

Khalifa University robotics competition takes on real-world challenges for cash prize

#UAE #robotics - Thirty-two teams took part in the $5-million biennial international robotics competition organised by Khalifa University of Science and Technology at the Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC). Entries included AI, drone capture, construction automation, firefighting and emergency response systems. (The National)

400 robotics, AI experts take part in inaugural MBZIRC symposium

#UAE #robotics - More than 400 international robotics and artificial intelligence experts took part in the first-ever Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) symposium to discuss the role of competitions in advancing future innovations. (WAM)

Programme launched to build Jordanian students’ capabilities in advanced AI systems

#Jordan #education - Jordan launched a "Data Intensive Science" programme this week to build the capacities of Jordanian students in Big Data and AI. The programme is funded by the Newton Khalidi Fund and organised by the Centre for Doctoral Training at University College London (UCL), the Jordanian AstroJo Institute and Jordan's Royal Scientific Society (RSS). (Jordan Times)

Events Calendar

2 Mar - AI in Finance MENA Summit - by CFTE - #AbuDhabi

5 Mar - AI Lab Government Networking event - by ADDA - #Abu Dhabi

11-12 Mar - AI Everything Summit - #Dubai

19 Mar - AI Lab Government Networking event - by ADDA - #Abu Dhabi

30-31 Mar - Global AI Summit - #Riyadh