Future $300m DIFC AI & Web3 campus; New Dubai digital strategy
Future $300m DIFC AI & Web3 campus; New Dubai digital strategy
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
Good morning!
Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News!
Several big announcements coming out of Dubai this week! Perhaps the biggest is the news that Dubai International Financial Centre, or DIFC, will create a new AI and Web 3.0 hub with an anticipated $300 million in funding.
However, Dubai announced progress on several fronts this week. Following formation its formation earlier this month, the Dubai Centre for AI has announced new AI task forces in 30 government departments to drive new innovation projects forward. Then yesterday, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan, announced a new Dubai Digital Strategy to transform digital services in the emirate.
Meanwhile, plenty of UAE federal news too. And then there’s the future IPO of ADNOC and G42 joint venture AI company AIQ!
Scroll down for more AI news from across the region!
As usual, thanks for reading,
/Carrington
Investment
DIFC plans Dubai AI & Web 3.0 Campus
#UAE #investment - Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has announced plans to build the Dubai AI & Web 3.0 Campus. The aim is to create the largest cluster of AI and tech companies in the MENA region, attracting over $300 million in funds and 500 global start-ups. (Emirates News Agency)
Dubai startup funding doubles to $2 billion
#UAE #funding - Dubai-based start-ups raised over $2 billion in 2022, doubling the funding secured in 2021. A report from the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy indicates that 30% of funding rounds in the MENA region were attributed to start-ups based in Dubai. (The National)
AIQ IPO
ADNOC and G42 plan AIQ IPO
#UAE #ADX - Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi AI and tech holding group G42 are considering a flotation of their joint venture, AIQ. The venture, which uses AI and machine learning to optimise processes and improve profitability for ADNOC, is 60% owned by ADNOC and 40% by G42. (Reuters)
Digital transformation
Dubai launches new Digital Strategy
#UAE #digitalservices - Digital Dubai has launched its new Digital Strategy for Dubai, in line with the leadership’s vision to position Dubai as a global role model in digital transformation. The launch was announced during yesterday's visit of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. (Emirates News Agency)
Dubai forms AI taskforces formed in 30 government bodies
#UAE #digitaltransformation - The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) has established task forces within 30 government entities in Dubai. The goal is to utilize AI for transforming government operations and services, fostering innovation and collaboration. (Emirates News Agency)
UAE government sets transformational goals
#UAE #digitaltransformation - The UAE Government held a workshop to design and develop transformation goals aimed at revolutionising government work procedures. This process involves 40 federal entities and focuses on specific objectives for the UAE's development over the next decade. (Emirates News Agency)
UAE launches future design tools
#UAE #designtools - The UAE Government launched a new generation of future design tools aimed at enhancing the country's future readiness and keepinng pace with change. The UAE Future Network released a guidebook for future readiness projects during its first meeting this week. (Zawya)
SDAIA achieves software maturity
#Saudi #AI - The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) achieved the highest level of maturity in software development, earning the CMMI Level 5 certification. This makes it the first agency in the Gulf Cooperation Council to achieve this distinction. (Arab News)
Autonomous Vehicles
Saudi tests AI-powered buses for Hajj
#Saudi #Hajj2023- Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority is testing AI-powered, self-driving electric buses for Hajj pilgrims. The buses, from French manufacturer EasyMile, can operate for 6 hours per charge and reach speeds of up to 30kmph. (Arabian Business)
Clevon joins forces with Saudi Ministry for expansion
#Saudi #lastmile - Estonia-based Clevon, the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA), and Rigel Capital signed an MoU to expand Clevon's last-mile autonomous technology in Saudi Arabia, following a week-long delivery trial in Riyadh. Clevon aims to launch operations, establish production, and create a branch of Clevon Academy in the Kingdom. (Clevon)
AI Ethics
MBRSG partners with IEEE to enhance AI ethics
#UAE #AI - The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association (IEEE SA) signed a memorandum to advance ethical AI applications in UAE and the region. The collaboration involves joint research and AI Ethics Assessor training. (Zawya)
Smart Cities
RAK introduces AI-powered smart gates
#UAE #smarthighways - Authorities in Ras Al Khaimah are installing AI-powered smart gates on main roads, enabling traffic monitoring and faster response to accidents and emergencies. This is part of RAK's 'Safe City Project'. (Khaleej Times)
AI Opinion
77% UAE IT leaders claim infrastructure ready for AI
#UAE #infrastructure - According to the Equinix 2023 Global Tech Trends Survey, 77% of surveyed UAE IT leaders believe their current infrastructure can accommodate AI technology demands, outperforming other global and EMEA responses. (Zawya)
AI Talent
Abu Dhabi’s G42 and Viola Group improve tech skills
#UAE #AI - G42, Abu Dhabi's AI company, and Israel's Viola Group have established Global Valley, a joint venture aimed at addressing tech sector skill shortages through internships, exchange programmes, and university collaborations. (AGBI)
AI & construction drive Saudi job growth
#Saudi #jobs - The expansion of Saudi Arabia's construction sector is set to bolster job opportunities in advanced technologies like AI. Construction firms are leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and safety, with AI-powered construction predicted to improve productivity significantly. (Arab News)
Education
AI's academic integrity questioned
#Egypt #education - Salwa Thabet, Professor at the Future University in Egypt, has claimed that AI lacks academic integrity, during a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of AI in relation to the Egypt’s academic community. (Ahram Online)
UAE students develop sustainability apps
#UAE #sustainability - Two UAE students have created mobile applications addressing global environmental issues, including plastic pollution and the global water crisis. The Microbeads Radar App, currently in development, aims to combat micro-bead pollution. (Khaleej Times)
Moroccan students excel at robotics competition
#Morocco #robotics - The Moroccan "High Voltage" team from Casablanca's Kaizen School secured a place among the top ten projects at the 2023 First Lego League international competition in Worcester, Massachusetts. The team won the "Motivate Award." (Morocco World News)
AI Diplomacy
Egypt & France explore AI cooperation
#Egypt #AI - Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, and his French counterpart discussed future partnerships in AI, digital signatures, innovation support, and youth entrepreneurship. The minister also discussed Segula Technologies' plans to establish a software center in Egypt. (Zawya)
Defence
Morocco acquires Israeli SpyX drones
#Morocco #drones - The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have reportedly received a batch of SpyX suicide drones from the Israeli company BlueBird Aero System, aiming to reinforce their artillery and infantry arsenal. The SpyX drone is advanced, accurate, and easily deployable. (The Maghreb Times)
Moroccan Air Force trains on drones
#Morocco #drones - The Moroccan Air Force has completed extensive training on operating the Chinese-made Wing Loong Il drones, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. The training was held in Chengdu, China, following Morocco's acquisition of two of these drones in 2022. (UAS Vision)
Iran tests suicide drone in Gulf
#Iran #drones - Iran conducted a suicide drone test against a practice vessel in the Gulf, according to a US official. The drone was launched from Iran's Jask area, within its territorial waters. (Reuters)