AI tops MBZ US visit agenda; Microsoft brings development to UAE
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
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Many big AI news headlines again this week, but none bigger than the AI high on the agenda in the meeting between UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US President Joe Biden! Meanwhile, Ooredoo secured a 2 billion Qatari rial loan to fund its MENA AI infrastructure plans; Microsoft announces its first software development centre in the Gulf; G42 announces a climate tech lab with NVIDIA; and Morocco and Oman launch national strategies.
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UAE & US commit to advancing trustworthy AI
#UAE #USA #AI – AI took centre stage during the meetings between UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US President Joe Biden. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing safe, secure, and trustworthy AI, issuing a post-meeting statement and promising to draft a detailed MoU on AI collaboration. (Middle East AI News)
Data Centres
Ooredoo secures $549M for data infrastructure expansion
#Qatar #telecom – Ooredoo Group has secured a QAR 2 billion ($549M) financing deal to expand its data infrastructure. The 10-year facility will help grow Ooredoo’s MENA operations, supporting AI, Cloud, and hyperconnectivity services. (Middle East AI News)
R&D
Microsoft to open Global Engineering Development Centre
#AbuDhabi #AI #CloudComputing – Microsoft will open a Global Engineering Development Centre in Abu Dhabi, expanding its global footprint in AI, Cloud, and cybersecurity development. This follows Microsoft’s recent $1.5 billion partnership with G42, including the launch of an AI for Good Lab and a Responsible AI Centre in the UAE capital. (Middle East AI News)
G42, NVIDIA partner to build Earth-2 Climate Tech Lab
#UAE #climatetech – G42 and NVIDIA will develop a climate tech lab in Abu Dhabi using NVIDIA’s Earth-2 platform. The lab will focus on AI-powered climate solutions, such as enhanced weather forecasting and prediction models. (Middle East AI News)
National AI Strategy
Morocco unveils 2030 digital transformation strategy
#Morocco #digitalstrategy – Morocco has announced its Digital Morocco 2030 (Maroc Digital 2030) strategy, aiming to enhance economic growth and public services. The plan includes expanding digital exports, boosting startups, and training 100,000 young people annually in digital skills. (Hespress)
Oman unveils national AI programme to boost economy
#Oman #AIstrategy – Oman has launched its 2024-2026 National AI and Digital Technologies Programme, focusing on boosting ICT as a key economic pillar. Plans include creating a national open data platform and establishing an AI research and development centre. (Oman Observer)
Global AI Index
Saudi Arabia ranks 1st for government strategy in Global AI Index 2024
#Saudi #UAE #GlobalAIIndex2024 – Saudi Arabia retained its top ranking for Government Strategy in Tortoise Media's 2024 Global AI Index, jumping from 31st to 14th overall. The UAE climbed from 28th to 20th, showing strong gains in research (12th) and development (9th). Jordan and Oman entered the index at 63rd and 64th. (Middle East AI News)
Autonomous Vehicles
Uber adds WeRide driverless taxis in Abu Dhabi
#UAE #Transport – Uber has signed a strategic partnership with global driverless taxi firm WeRide. The collaboration will introduce WeRide’s autonomous vehicles to the Uber app in Abu Dhabi later this year. Customers will have the option to use these vehicles, subject to availability. (Zawya)
Education
Aramco Digital partners with Accenture for AI learning
#Saudi #AI – Aramco Digital and Accenture have partnered to use the LearnVantage AI platform to train Aramco’s entire workforce. The partnership will equip employees with AI skills and help Aramco Digital become the largest provider of generative AI services in Saudi Arabia. (Aramco Digital)
Startups
Oman's OQ launches energy and AI accelerator
#Oman #energy – OQ has launched a 6-month accelerator program to tackle upstream and downstream challenges in the energy sector. The program offers a $50,000 grant and up to $500,000 in follow-on investment for projects using AI and advanced technologies. (Brinc)
MBZUAI incubates startup to decode baby cries
#UAE #AIapps – Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is incubating a startup called Cradle AI, which has developed an app that decodes baby cries. The app, Let Baby Talk, helps parents understand whether a baby is hungry, tired, or unwell. (WAM)
First cohort of AI Accelerator Llama Design Drive
#UAE #AI #Innovation – Meta and Dubai Future Foundation launched the first cohort of the Llama Design Drive, a regional AI accelerator powered by Startupbootcamp. The programme includes 22 startups and nd AI professionals developing solutions using Meta's Llama 3.1. (WAM)
Smart Cities
Naver to establish Middle East HQ in Saudi Arabia
#Saudi #digitaltwins – South Korean digital giant Naver is set to open a Middle East headquarters in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2024. The new office will support Naver’s digital twin initiatives under Saudi Arabia’s RHQ program. (Korea Times)
Kuwait rolls out AI-powered traffic cameras
#Kuwait #traffic – Kuwait has introduced AI-driven traffic cameras to monitor seat belt and mobile phone violations. The move aims to reduce traffic accidents and enhance safety on the country's road network using advanced AI technology. (Zawya)
Arabic
Riyadh to host Arabic language AI conference
#Saudi #AI – Riyadh will host a conference on Arabic language computing next month. The event will focus on improving Arabic AI models and academic practices, supporting better development in AI for the Arabic-speaking world. (Arab News)
UN
DCO, UNDP partner for global digital cooperation
#Saudi #economy – The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and UNDP have signed an agreement to foster digital cooperation worldwide. The DCO also launched the Digital Economy Navigator, a framework measuring digital economy maturity in 50 countries. (Zawya)
UNDP, e&, and MBZUAI launch AI platform for SDGs
#UAE #AI – The UNDP, e&, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) have launched the AI for Sustainable Development Platform at the UN headquarters. The platform aims to address critical data challenges in areas like agricultural resilience and climate action in Arab states. (Middle East AI News)
Saudi Arabia discusses AI capacity building at UN Advisory Board meeting
#SaudiArabia #AIdevelopment – Saudi Arabia participated in the UN Advisory Board on AI meeting in New York, represented by Shura Council member Dr. Latifa bint Mohammad Al-Abdulkareem and Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) officials. Discussions focused on building global AI capacity and promoting AI's role in achieving the UN SDGs by 2030. (Saudi Press Agency)
[ This newsletter was AI edited & human edited ]