MBZUA helps form AI Alliance; New EV plant for SAVI
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
Good morning!
Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News!
Another busy week, with the UAE abuzz with news and events surrounding the COP28 meetings in Dubai. However, lots of other stories to share this week.
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence was announced as one of 50 founder members of the new IBM and Meta-led ‘AI Alliance’, which hopes to address the macro issues of AI to support developers of new AI technologies. Meanwhile, UAE businesses want to see more AI policy and regulation, according to a new survey from Alteryx. Scroll down for these stories and more (including a CNN video about how some Moroccan farmers are using AI).
Later today, I’ll be hosting Middle East AI News LIVE - THURSDAY DEEP DIVE on LinkedIn at 12 noon KSA | 1pm UAE time | 9am GMT!
I will be talking to Dr. Qirong Ho, Assistant Professor at MBZUAI about AI Operating Systems and how they could make AI more efficient, saving us time, cost and energy consumption!
Click here to attend today’s THURSDAY DEEP DIVE!
And on Friday at 7am - 8am UAE time, I’ll be co-hosting my new weekly news roundup - The Wrap - with Asem Galal of UAE-basedd technology consultancy G&K! Register and add to your calendar here.
Thanks for reading!
/Carrington
COP28
AI’s potential to affect climate change
#UAE #COP28UAE - The potential of AI to impact the environment is front and centre, at the United Nations 28th Convention on Climate Change, Cop 28, which began in Dubai last week. Technology leaders have touted AI's potential to limit emissions, reduce energy consumption and come up with new solutions. However, the convention has also highlighted concerns. (NYT)
AI Alliance
IBM and Meta-led AI Alliance launches
@USA #UAE #standards - Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) became a founding member of the AI Alliance this week, a new alliance for open, safe, responsible AI lead by tech giants IBM and Meta. (AI Alliance)
AI Policy
UAE businesses want to see more AI regulation
#UAE #regulation - AI regulation is top of mind for UAE businesses, according to a new research survey from analytics company Alteryx. 87% of those surveyed believe that regulations and standards around AI usage - including generative AI - should be developed within their sector. (Zawya)
Mobility
Faraday Future to manufacture at SAVI
#UAE #EVs - Faraday Future Intelligent Electric has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), to move into Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster (SAVI). The California EV company plans to establish a regional headquarters, manufacturing facility and an advanced R&D centre. (Yahoo!)
RTA approves PPP projects
#UAE #mobility - Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (or RTA) has endorsed the ‘Dubai Portfolio for Public-Private Partnership, encompassing 10 projects with an estimated value of AED 2.5 billion ($680m). The projects include smart street lighting; aerial taxi services; and smart platforms for transport and rental vehicles. (Dubai Media Office)
Education
Saudi Arabia ranks first globally in AI competition
#Saudi #competition - Saudi Arabia won the most medals at the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth, which was held from Dec. 2 to Dec. 3 at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KACST). More than 18,000 students from 40 countries participated. (Arab News)
Oman opens 3-day National Olympiad for innovation, AI
#Oman #competition - Oman's Ministry of Education, in partnership with Oman India Fertiliser Company (OMIFCO), opened the National Olympiad for Scientific Innovations, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence on Tuesday. 121 students will present 68 innovations in the competition. (Muscat Daily)
ADDED and MBZUAI launch chatbot competition
#UAE #chatbots - Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) are to launch a virtual assistant competition for university students. The winning university team will be invited to work with a venture lab to develop the AI solution for ADDED. (ADDED)
R&D
Sohar University of Technology and Applied Sciences opens AI lab
#Oman #R&D - Sohar University of Technology and Applied Sciences this week opened an AI lab, funded by SOHAR Port and Freezone. Equipped with cutting-edge spaces and the latest technology, the lab aims to enhance national capacities in the field of AI. (Zawya)
Blockchain
TII announced carbon trading platform
#UAE #carbon - Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has launched its blockchain-powered carbon tracking and trading platform, which will facilitate international trade in carbon tokens. (Zawya)
Food Security
AI platform for UAE food programme
#UAE #foodsecurity - Abu Dhabi-based Open Innovation AI and World Wide Technology have developed an Advanced Technology Centre to serve the UAE Food for Future Platform. The new centre was announced at COP28 in Dubai. (Linkedin)
Metaverse
Virtual Qatar Airways experience brings returns
#Qatar #metaverse - Qatar Airways virtual platform QVerse has already fueled a a 256% return on product investment. The unique digital online experience gives customers a preview of their journey, from airport arrival to embarking onto the aircraft. (AdAge)
Space
UAE geo-spatial platform launched
#UAE #geospatial - The UAE Space Agency has announced the launch of its Geo-Spatial Analytics Platform, in partnership with G42 company Bayanat. It is hoped that the platform will attract innovators and accelerate the development of space products in the UAE. (UAE Barq)
Defence
Egyptian firm to manufacture Russian anti-drone system
#Egypt #Russia #anti-drone - The Russian ‘Vector’ research institute, part of Ruselectronics holding within Russia's state technological company Rostec, plans to licence production of Zashchitacivilian anti-unmanned-aerial-vehicle (UAV) systems to an unnamed Egyptian electronics manufacturer. (Sputnik News)
VIDEO
DeepLeaf empowers Moroccan farmers with AI
#Morocco #agritech - Agadir-based DeepLeaf uses robotics and AI models to help farmers detect crop disease and other issues. (CNN - Video)