AI saves Adnoc $2bn in operations; Sehteq acquires Dawa Express
Good morning,
Here’s this week’s Middle East AI News!
Some startup news to report this week with the acquisition of AI and machine learning startup Dawa Express by health insurance startup Sehteq (announced last week, but too late for last week's newsletter). Meanwhile, on Tuesday DEWA's venture capital and M&A arm Forward Investments announced an investment in US-based startup Nozomi Networks that's focused on the fast growing IoT security space.
ADNOC's use of AI to improve the efficiency of its drilling operations has been all over the media during the past week, with a reported $2 billion being saved by the oil company over a five-year period. In other news from the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi International Airport is investing in smart travel management and the Environment Agency and utility firm Engie are using drones to plant mangrove tree seeds. Scroll down for these stories and more.
Lastly, only ten days to go before Fintech week ! UAE Fintech Week & Israel Fintech Week are now combined and taking place online between 29 November to 4 December. Registration is free.
Stay safe & have a great weekend!
/Carrington
Startup News
Sehteq acquires Dawa Express for $3 million — www.wamda.com
#UAE #acquisitions - UAE-based health insurance startup Sehteq is set to acquire AI and machine learning company Dawa Express for $3 million with the transaction to be completed by the first quarter of 2021. Dawa Express is a services solution provider to health insurance companies and healthcare providers. (Wamda)
Forward Investments backs Nozomi Networks — www.globenewswire.com
#UAE #US #funding - Forward Investments, the venture capital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has invested in Nozomi Networks, a global market leader in Operational Technology (OT) and IoT security, headquartered in San Francisco, USA. (GlobalNewswire)
Indian chatbot start-up Articbot to set up Bahrain office for international foray — www.arabianbusiness.com
#Bahrain #India #chatbots - Articbot, an Indian start-up operating a multi-lingual AI chatbot platform is set to establish its first overseas office in Bahrain. The Indian venture, which helps businesses to automate customer support, is also in advanced discussions with a leading Saudi Arabian petrochemical company to implement its solution. (Arabian Business)
Travel
Abu Dhabi International Airport gears up to introduce new ‘Smart Travel’ features — gulfnews.com
#UAE #airports - Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is putting on trial a new enhanced ‘Smart Travel’ system, developed by Abu Dhabi Airports n partnership with ConvergentAI, Inc. and powered by #AI, to shorten queues and streamline processes throughout the airport. (Gulf News)
Energy
Adnoc achieved $2bn in savings from drilling efficiencies — www.thenationalnews.com
#UAE #drilling - Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has saved $2 billion by enhancing drilling efficiencies over the past five years. ADNOC uses smart analytical models and AI platforms to generate operational insights, solve subsurface challenges and optimise performance. It relies on real-time data monitoring of its 120 well sites. (The National)
AI Policy
UAE expands eligibility for golden residency visas - new categories revealed — gulfbusiness.com
#UAE #visas - The UAE has expanded the categories of eligible individuals for the 10-year, 'golden residency' visa. Potential recipients include specialised degree holders in AI, big data, epidemiology and viruses, as well as doctors and engineers, among others. (Gulf Business)
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) adopts Smart Dubai’s ethical AI toolkit — www.mediaoffice.ae
#UAE #AIethics - The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has used Smart Dubai’s Ethical AI Toolkit on a total of 13 AI use cases across various departments, registering an average performance rate of 89.95% on complying with the Ethical AI Principles and Guidelines. (Dubai Media Office)
Digital Twins
ACCIONA uses digital twin technology to start up Al-Khobar 1 Desalination Plant — www.mepmiddleeast.com
#Saudi #Spain #digitaltwins - An ACCIONA team in Spain has for the first time tested and commissioned a desalination plant thousands of miles away in Al Khobar Saudi Arabia using digital twin technology. (MEP Middle East)
Education
Ajman and Intel join forces to launch UAE IT lab — gulfbusiness.com
#UAE #AIskills- Ajman's X Centre has partnered with Intel in creating an IT lab to equip young Emiratis with AI and robotics skills. Dubbed Mustakbaly (Arabic for ‘My Future’), the lab offers UAE nationals free courses in computer programming; AI and robotics; management, decision making and risk management; innovation and blockchain, and more. (Gulf Business)
Kids of determination to do more robotics projects in UAE schools — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #AIskills- More students of determination will be involved in tech and robotics projects, thanks to a new partnership between Special Olympics UAE and Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Education. The new programme will also create vocational and leadership training opportunities for Special Olympic athletes. (Khaleej Times)
AI Diplomacy
Egypt, Hungary to cooperate in AI — dailynewsegypt.com
#Egypt #Hungary #diplomacy - Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, met on Tuesday with the Ambassador of Hungary in Cairo to discuss boosting cooperation between the two countries in the fields of artificial intelligence and data science, capacity building, innovation and entrepreneurship, applied research, and cyber-security. (Daily News Egypt)
Environment
Abu Dhabi and Engie use drones in mangrove rehabilitation — www.zawya.com
#UAE #drones - The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is partnering with the global utility company Engie to use specialised, custom UAE-built drones and rigging to plant thousands of mangrove seeds near Engie’s $1.5 billion Mirfa plant in Abu Dhabi, as well as monitor mangrove growth over the year. (Zawya.com)
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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.