Abu Dhabi launches applied research centre; $160m AI traffic systems centre in Dubai
Good morning,
Here’s this week's Middle East AI News!
Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) has officially launched the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a dedicated applied research centre.
TII has seven focused research units for Advanced Materials Research, Autonomous Robotics Research, Crypto, Digital Security Research, Directed Energy Research, Secure Systems Research and Quantum Computing. The centre has already employed over 100 staff.
There's also lots of other news, although it has to be said, mostly from the UAE this week! This includes a US military drone deal with the UAE that is estimate to be worth $2.9 billion.
If you have a spare hour this evening, Hub71 is hosting its second edition of its Abu Dhabi Decoded webinar series. You can catch it between 6pm and 7pm GST. Register here.
Stay safe & have a great weekend!
/Carrington
R&D
Abu Dhabi launches a centre for advanced technology research — www.thenationalnews.com
#UAE #R&D - Abu Dhabi has unveiled the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the dedicated applied research pillar of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). The TII is developing the following seven R&D centres around top ATRC priorities. (The National)
Schlumberger inks machine learning deal with two Abu Dhabi AI firms — www.worldoil.com
#UAE #energy - AIQ, Schlumberger and Group 42 signed a strategic framework agreement to collaborate on the development and deployment of artificial intelligence, machine learning and data solutions for the oil and gas industry. (World Oil)
Dubai Customs develops 32 disruptive innovations, bags 14 innovation awards in 2020 — mediaoffice.ae
#UAE #innovation - Dubai Customs celebrated 32 disruptive innovations developed throughout 2020, receiving 14 global awards for its innovation. Dubai Customs is using AI and deep learning for statistics, detecting illegal shipments, passenger processes and for insurance refund claims. (Dubai Media Office)
Finance
ADIA hires another AI specialist as it boosts quantitative research team — www.reuters.com
#UAE #investment - Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), UAE's biggest sovereign wealth fund, has hired Stephen Malinak, an artificial intelligence expert, as global head of quantitative research and development, the state fund said. (Reuters)
ADIB launches UAE's first Emirati chatbot — www.zawya.com
#UAE #chatbots - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), a leading financial institution, today announced that it has launched ADIB Chat Banking, the UAE’s first Emirati customer care chatbot. The service is equipped with the unique ability to understand and respond to the Emirati Arabic dialect, in addition to classical Arabic and English. (Zawya)
Transport
Sheikh Mohammed inaugurates smart centre for traffic monitoring in Dubai — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #transport - An AED 590 million ($160m) Intelligent Traffic Systems Centre that is powered by AI, big data and Internet of things has been inaugurated in Dubai. The centre, which can predict traffic congestions, is one of the biggest and most sophisticated traffic control centres in the world. (Khaleej Times)
Healthcare
Radiologists disagree about role of AI — www.auntminnieeurope.com
#UAE #radiology - A University of Sharjah survey of radiology professionals found that 32% of survey respondents expressed enthusiasm about AI, but 85.6% disagreed with the statement "AI will play an important role in the practice of radiology professionals." (Aunt Minnie Europe)
Agriculture
Abu Dhabi s AgTech ecosystem expands across land sea and space — www.businessworld.in
#UAE agtech - The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced partnerships with Pure Harvest Smart Farms (Pure Harvest), FreshToHome and Nanoracks that will see the companies receive financial and non-financial incentives totaling AED 152 million ($41 million). (Business World)
Education
The Saudi Electronic University used AI to conduct assessments for over 12,000 students — www.zawya.com
#Saudi #UAE #education - GamaLearn SwiftAssess platform has been used by Saudi Electronic University (SEU) to conduct 12,000 remote assessments. All students did their midterms from home in sessions monitored by AI. (Zawya)
Defence
Trump administration advances $2.9 billion drone sale to UAE — www.reuters.com
#UAE #US #UAVs - The U.S. State Department gave Congress notification it plans to sell 18 sophisticated armed MQ-9B aerial drones to the United Arab Emirates in a deal worth as much as $2.9 billion, Reuters reported last Friday. (Reuters)
Events
Hub71 gathers Abu Dhabi tech leaders for new ‘Abu Dhabi Decoded’ webinar — wam.ae
#UAE #AbuDhabi- Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, announces the second edition of its Abu Dhabi Decoded webinar series that will focus on Abu Dhabi’s business-friendly environment designed for tech startups, entrepreneurs and global companies of the future. (Emirates News Agency)
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About Carrington Malin — www.carringtonmalin.com
Carrington Malin is a UAE-based entrepreneur, marketer and writer who focuses on emerging technologies.