Medical AI research centre to open in Dubai; Microsoft creates AI centre for energy
Good morning,
Welcome to this week’s edition of Middle East AI News!
A number of new research and development initiatives to share this week; American Hospital Dubai has launched the first AI medical research centre in the region in partnership with Cerner; Microsoft has announced plans for an AI centre for energy industry solutions in Dubai; meanwhile, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology will develop a new generation of unmanned aerial vehicles in a deal with California-based Uavos.
Scroll down for more on these stories and more from around the region.
Have a great weekend!
/Carrington
R&D
American Hospital Dubai launches AI research centre in collaboration with Cerner — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #R&D - American Hospital Dubai has launched the first medical AI research centre in the region in partnership with global health care technology company Cerner. (Khaleej Times)
Microsoft opens its first AI centre for energy in Dubai — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #R&D - Microsoft opened an AI centre for energy in Dubai - its first in the world - to develop technologies that could be used globally. Based at the company’s office in Dubai Internet City, the Microsoft Energy Core centre will begin operations in September. (The National)
Energy
Smart Helmets supporting operations during COVID-19 — www.saudiaramco.com
#Saudi #coronavirus - In-line with Saudi Aramco’s Digital Transformation Program, Aramco Asia recently deployed a “smart helmet.” The helmet remotely monitors equipment and material fabrication activities, helping to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission. (Saudi Aramco)
Digital Economy
DIFC enacts new data protection law to ensure best sharing practices — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #dataprotection - Dubai issued a new data protection law for companies operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre. The legislation also requires the rights of users to be made clear, especially when their data are being shared with vendors of emerging technologies, such as blockchain and AI. (The National)
Smart Government
Abu Dhabi's Statistics Centre provides a range of AI-powered user services — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #government - The Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi's AI unit now provides a variety of AI-powered services to users as part of SCAD's smart application (mServices), (Khaleej Times)
Coronavirus
Combating coronavirus: UAE-based university to hold graduation ceremony via drones — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #education - The American University in the Emirates (AUE) has organised a 'drive thru' graduation ceremony for its outgoing students. According to Al Bayan newspaper, 472 students will get out of the cars and receive their degrees via drones. (Khaleej Times)
GCC construction turns to drones in post-COVID-19 — www.constructionweekonline.com
#UAE #construction - An increasing number of construction firms and real estate developers in the GCC are turning to drones as they get their operations back on track following the impact of COVID-19, according to Falcon Eye Drones (FEDS). (ConstructionWeek)
Trial of medical robots proving successful in Bahrain — www.healthcareitnews.com
#Bahrain #coroanvirus - The Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ministry of Health confirms that three medical robots are being used in order to protect healthcare staff from excessive exposure to coronavirus. (Healthcare IT)
Geopolitics
UAE caught between US and China as powers vie for influence in Gulf — www.ft.com
#China #UAE #US #coronavirus - Shortly after opening the largest Covid-19 testing centre outside of China by Abu Dhabi's Group 42, the UAE offered the US embassy hundreds of tests to screen its staff. But the gesture by the UAE was politely declined due to China privacy concerns. (FT.com - subscription only)
Defence
UAVOS and KACST partner on long endurance drone development — www.aerospacetestinginternational.com
#Saudi #UAVs - UAVOS and Saudi Arabia-based research institute the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to Saker-1C endurance drone for search and rescue and communications. The programme will develop the new version of the Saker Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), the Saker MALE-1C. (Aerospace Testing Int.)
Why the U.S. is driving allies to buy Chinese UAVs — www.airforcemag.com
#US #Jordan #Saudi #UAE #UAVs - Outdated regulations which define unmanned systems as nuclear missiles are preventing sales of U.S. UAVs to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, forcing allies to seek alternatives, says Keith Webster, ex-International Cooperation at the Pentagon and now president of the Defense and Aerospace Export Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (Airforce Magazine)
Books
Girl Decoded - Rana el Kaliouby — blogs.sciencemag.org
#Egypt #USA #books - Science Magazine's review of 'Girl Decoded', the memoir of emotion AI pioneer Rana el Kaliouby, Ph.D., who is Co-Founder and CEO of Affectiva. (Science)