AI summer camps; U.AE adds ChatGPT

Middle East AI News weekly digest...

Good morning!

Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News!

Schools have broken up for summer holidays, which, these days, means that its time for summer technology camps! Saudi Arabia and the UAE have both announced summer student programmes. The UAE AI Camp is now in its 5th year!

The UAE also announced this week that its national information and services portal u.ae is AI-enabled and now has a ChatGPT service! Users can ask questions about any topic covered by the website.

In other news, both Jordan and Saudi Arabia are moving their Personal Data Protection Laws forward. The Saudi PDPL is due to be implemented in September.

Meanwhile, field tests have begun for the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport. Dubai’s RTA invited companies and entrepreneurs worldwide to enter their autonomous bus solutions in the competition. The $2.3 million prize will be awarded at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport in September.

Scroll down for more AI news from across the region.

As always, thanks for reading!

/Carrington

---

Education

UAE AI Camp's fifth edition launches

#UAE #summercamp - The National Programme for Artificial Intelligence, with the National Programme for Coders, launched the fifth edition of UAE AI Camp. The summer camp aims to empower generations with AI tools, skills, and advanced technology. Previous editions of the camp have been attended by 22,000 students from across the country. (Emirates News Agency)

SDAIA Academy launches AI Summer Champions

#Saudi #education - The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority Academy announced the start of registration for the AI Summer Champions Program in cooperation with the platforms Coursera and FutureX. The programme will run for two months from July 17 to Sep. 17. (Arab News)

AUC releases statement on AI usage

#Egypt #AIpolicy- A new policy statement from the American University of Cairo (AUC) acknowledges the growing role of AI tools such as ChatGPT in professional and academic work. The university supports AI usage, but urges students to create original work and adopt fair practices. (AUC)

Autonomous Vehicles

Dubai RTA starts $2.3m self-driving bus tests

#UAE #DubaiWorldChallenge - Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has commenced field tests for the 3rd Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, featuring a $2.3 million prize. The competition saw a significant increase in participants, with 27 submissions globally. (Dubai Media Office)

ChatGPT

TDRA launches ChatGPT-supported version of u.ae

#UAE #digitalgovernment - The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has launched an ChatGPT-supported version of the UAE Government’s Unified Digital Platform, u.ae. The platform serves as an interface for federal and local government services. (Zawya)

Egypt's RabbitMart launches Arabic ChatGPT assistant

#Egypt #retail - Grocery delivery app, RabbitMart, introduced an Arabic-speaking AI assistant, RabbitAI. The app uses ChatGPT to create recipes based on user preferences and orders necessary ingredients, along with providing nutritional insights. (Zawya)

Data Law

Saudi PDPL regulations published for public consultation

#Saudi #datalaw - The draft implementation regulations for Saudi Arabia's new Personal Data Protection Law (which is due to come into effect on 14 September) have just been published. The draft regulations have been published for public consultation and comments will be accepted until 31 July. (NCC)

Jordan’s parliament to debate new data law

#Jordan #datalaw- Jordan's Parliament will hold a meeting to debate the country's draft Cybercrime Law and the draft Jordanian Personal Data Protection Legislation (PDPL). The Cabinet approved the draft law last year. (Jordan Times)

AI Strategy

UAE ranks 1st in Arab world, 28th globally in AI index

#UAE #GlobalAIIndex - The UAE ranked 1st in the Arab world and 28th globally in the Artificial Intelligence Index, according to Tortoise Media. The ranking monitors AI developments in 62 countries investing in this technology. (Gulf Today)

Healthcare

UAE to get first college for AI in healthcare

#UAE #healthcare - Thumbay Group’s Gulf Medical University announces UAE's first higher education institute for AI in healthcare. The Thumbay Institute/College of AI and Technology in Healthcare will start operations this September. (Gulf News)

Environment

Saudi AI project aids in preserving Red Sea marine life

#Saudi #environment - King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is using AI to analyse data on fish populations and fishing practices in the Red Sea. The project aims to boost sustainability and counteract the country's 60% seafood import. (Arab News)

Smart Cities

Presight & Astana City administration sign MoU

#UAE #smartcities- Presight, an AI-based big data analytics company in Abu Dhabi, has signed an MoU with the Astana City Administration in Kazakhstan. The partnership aims to drive digital transformation and economic growth. (Emirates News Agency)

Advertising

SCAI to sponsor Al-Ahli Football Club

#Saudi #advertising - The Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has formed a three-year strategic partnership with Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club. (Arab News)

AI Diplomacy

Saudi MCIT visit to China strengthens digital ties

#Saudi #AIdiplomacy- A delegation from the Saudi Ministry of Communications and IT has visited China, resulting in 11 MoUs. The partnership aims to help 100 Chinese companies enter Saudi Arabia and vice versa over the next two years. (Zawya)

Defence

Iran's drones a significant regional threat

#Iran #drones - Analysts suggest that Iran's drone program, despite lacking sophistication, poses a significant threat. Iran's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been used for reconnaissance, sabotage, and attack missions, and have seen an increase in regional usage by non-state actors linked to Tehran. (RFE/RL)