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ADQ launches $300m India fund; New AI degree courses for 2020-2021
Good morning,
Welcome to this week’s edition of Middle East AI News!
ADQ (previously Abu Dhabi Holding Company) has been confirmed as the Abu Dhabi entity behind the $300 million India-focused AI fund established by Falcon Edge Capital earlier this year (see Middle East AI News 20 Feb). ADQ announced the new fund this week, which targets emerging tech startups. Funding is contingent on each startup setting up in Masdar City.
Other than the region's continued buying spree on AI and robotics in the fight against Covid-19, two UAE universities have announced new AI degree programmes for the 2020-2021 academic year. Scroll down for these stories and more.
Have a great weekend!
/Carrington
Startups
ADQ launches $300m fund to invest in Asian start-ups — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #funding - ADQ (previously Abu Dhabi Holding Company) has launched the $300 million Alpha Wave Incubation (AWI) Fund in Abu Dhabi, attract early-stage Indian and Southeast Asian startups to set-up in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City. With a focus on AI and machine learning, the fund will be managed by Falcon Edge Capital and be based in Abu Dhabi Global Market. (The National)
Coronavirus
Dubai Police surveillance cameras to be used to boost Covid-19 detection rates — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #coronavirus - A sophisticated surveillance programme rolled out by Dubai Police to track down wanted criminals is being adapted to boost early detection rates for Covid-19. The force's Oyoon (eyes) project involves a network of thousands of cameras armed with AI and facial recognition software. (The National)
UAE develops non-invasive rapid laser test that gives results in seconds — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #coronavirus - QuantLase Imaging Lab, the medical research arm of International Holdings Company in the UAE has developed a rapid laser test to identify Covid-19 patients. The test uses advanced AI image-analysis. (The National)
Abu Dhabi Police use AI helmets to scan for Covid-19 (Video) — whatson.ae
#UAE #coronavirus - New smart helmets acquired by Abu Dhabi Police use AI to isolate and measure the body temperatures of multiple individuals at the same time. (What's On)
Robots deployed to help Bahrain's frontline workers in virus fight — www.zawya.com
#Bahrain #coroanvirus - Bahrain's healthcare authorities have deployed two robots to help frontline workers in the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak. They will assist in checking the body temperature of Covid-19 positive patients, administer daily medicines, and sterilise treatment rooms. (GDN)
Post Covid-19 airport travel in Qatar to use AI, robotics — www.thetraveltrunk.net
#Qatar #coronavirus - Qatar's Hamad International Airport has brought in robots, AI helmets, computer vision and thermal imaging technologies in the fight against Coronavirus. (Travel Trunk)
Education
Ajman University now offers MS in Artificial Intelligence — www.zawya.com
#UAE #education - The College of Engineering and Information Technology at Ajman University (AU) will offer a Master of Science program in Artificial Intelligence from the academic year 2020-2021. (Zawya)
AURAK plans to introduce four new programmes in the fall 2020 — www.businesswire.com
#UAE #education - The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) is planning to introduce four new academic programs in Fall 2020 including a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. (BusinessWire)
Opinion
How AI can help governments in a post Covid-19 world — www.wamda.com
#GCC #coronavirus - Jad Hajj, partner, and Wissam Abdel Samad, principal, Christian Stechel, senior manager, Gustave Cordahi, senior associate, with Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network, outline three ways in which AI can help the region get back on its feet. (Wamda)
Quran AI app — religionnews.com
#US #Apps - Promoted as the world’s first AI-enabled Quran recitation app, Tarteel now uses speech recognition software and machine learning technology to help users practice their memorisation and study of the Quran. (Religion News)