Dubai digital startup hub; New digital twin for Saudi health app
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
Good morning!
Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News, brought to you by OnDemand, an innovative AI platform which enables you to fast-track AI product development - now with fully customizable autonomous agents!
GITEX is over, but there were plenty of events and announcements across the region this week. Dubai launched an digital hub for startups; Dubai Future Foundation announced two new sandboxes; Saudi national healthcare services app now has a digital twin to show personal health data; and LLM360 has open-sourced a massive cleaned pre-training dataset for LLM builders!
Scroll down to read all the news!
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Startups
Dubai launches Ignyte startup platform
#UAE #startups - Dubai has unveiled Ignyte, a digital platform created by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) aimed at accelerating the growth of over 100,000 start-ups. The initiative connects entrepreneurs with 5,000 investors, mentors, and corporate partners, helping them save collectively over $100 million through exclusive perks. (Middle East AI News)
LLMs
LLM360 releases massive pre-training dataset
#UAE #trainingdata - The LLM360 project, backed by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and Petuum, has open-sourced TxT360, a fully cleaned pre-training dataset allowing developers to easily create a 15 billion token corpus for LLM training. (Middle East AI News)
Sharjah launches AI historical dictionary project
#UAE #languagetech - His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi attended the launch of the GPT Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language project, which utilises AI to trace word origins and usage, providing researchers with an advanced research tool. (Zawya)
Healthcare
Lean develops digital twin for health app
#Saudi #healthtech - Saudi Arabia's Lean has created a patient digital twin solution for the Sehhaty app, allowing users to visualise their health data through a digital representation of the human body. This innovation aims to enhance health information access for residents. (Al Riyadh Daily)
Saudi hospital to expand robotic surgery use
#Saudi #healthcare - King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Saudi Arabia plans to integrate robotic surgery in all operating rooms. The hospital will prioritise robotic solutions for specific procedures, including heart transplants, enhancing surgical precision. (Zawya)
Regulation
DFF launches Gig Economy, PropTech Sandboxes
#UAE #sandboxes - Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has launched a Gig Economy Sandbox to explore more flexible ways of working, and a PropTech Sandbox to foster a regulatory environment that helps accelerate Dubai’s real estate sector. (WAM)
Education
UAE University launches AI Agenda 2025-2031
#UAE #education - United Arab Emirates University has launched its Artificial Intelligence Agenda 2025-2031, aligning with the UAE's National Strategy for AI. The agenda aims to elevate academic programmes and equip future generations with vital AI skills. (WAM)
Cloud
SambaNova signs partnership with Saudi MCIT
#Saudi #inference - Cloud AI platform SambaNova Systems has signed a Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The company is already providing its platform to a number of Saudi customers with fast AI inference services. (LinkedInI)
Law
UAE to launch Virtual Lawyer project
#UAE #legaltech - The UAE's Ministry of Justice is set to launch its Virtual Lawyer project next year, aimed at assisting law firms in developing pleadings for simple legal cases. (Gulf Today)
Robotics
MBZUAI launches full robotics programme
#UAE #robotics - Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has launched a comprehensive robotics programme to address advanced challenges in areas such as robot learning and human-computer interaction. The programme welcomed its first cohort of 18 students in August. (WAM)
IROS 2024 concludes in Abu Dhabi
#UAE #robotics - The 36th edition of the IROS 2024 conference in Abu Dhabi concluded successfully, attracting nearly 10,000 visitors, delegates, and participants from around the world. The event showcased the latest advancements in intelligent robotics. (Zawya)
Policy
UAE launches labour market simulation model
#UAE #labour- The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has introduced a Labour Market Simulation Model using Generative AI. This tool assists policymakers in analysing data and exploring various scenarios for better policy development. (WAM)
E-government
Abu Dhabi launches TAMM 3.0 AI app
#UAE #govtech - Abu Dhabi has launched TAMM 3.0, an AI application that offers residents access to around 800 government services. This one-stop solution streamlines processes such as renewing licences and paying utility bills, enhancing user experience. (Gulf News)
Qatar jumps in UN e-government index
#Qatar #egovernment - Qatar has improved its ranking in the United Nations E-Government Development Index, advancing 25 places from 78th to 53rd among 193 countries. This reflects the nation's success in utilising e-services to enhance the lives of individuals and businesses. (Zawya)
AI71 partners with Morocco for digital strategy
#UAE #digitaltransformation - AI71 has partnered with Morocco's Ministry of Digital Transition to support the country's Digital Morocco 2030 strategy with AI solutions. This collaboration aims to enhance digital transformation efforts in Morocco. (ITWeb)
Governance
UAE boards focus more on AI than global peers
#UAE #governance - A new survey from Heidrick & Struggles reveals that 83% of board directors in the UAE are dedicating significantly more time to AI and emerging technologies, exceeding the global average of 71%. This reflects a growing operational focus on technology among company boards. (Zawya)
Energy
ADNOC expands use of AIQ's reservoir solution
#UAE #energy - ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) is expanding its implementation of AIQ's Advanced Reservoir 360 solution to manage over 30 reservoirs. This AI technology is designed to reduce planning times, extend well life, and improve recovery rates, enhancing operational efficiency. (WAM)
ADNOC develops AI tools for operational efficiency
#UAE #distribution- ADNOC Distribution is creating over 20 AI-driven tools to optimise operations. The Smart Fuel Demand Prediction Model is expected to save the company up to $34 million in transport costs by improving fuel distribution efficiency. (The National)
[ This newsletter was AI edited & human edited ]