Meta AI to speak Arabic; Core42 deploys DGX SuperPOD
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
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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 and seamlessly integrate AI and IoT apps into your environment.
Meta announced yesterday that it would soon introduce Arabic language support for its Meta AI virtual assistant; Core42 deploys NVIDIA’s DGX SuperPOD in the UAE; Salesforce inaugurates its new office in the UAE; Jordan and Abu Dhabi sign a $100 million digital transformation agreement; and Saudi’s tech market grew 12% last year!
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Meta AI to roll out Arabic language support
#UAE #technology – Meta’s intelligent assistant Meta AI will soon introduce Arabic language support as part of its global expansion. The assistant will be rolled out across Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and seven other Arabic-speaking countries. Meta AI went live in six new country markets this week, including Brazil and the United Kingdom. (Middle East AI News)
AI Infrastructure
Core42 expands AI cloud in UAE with NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD
#UAE #cloud – Core42, part of G42, has enhanced its AI cloud services by deploying a NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD in the UAE. The setup uses cutting-edge GDX H100 GPUs, supported by Dell systems, providing AI cloud services for its customers. (Zawya)
Market Trends
Saudi tech market grows 12.3% in 2023
#Saudi #trends - Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure has driven its technology market to a record SR91 billion ($24.2b) in 2023, marking a year-on-year increase of 12.3 percent, according to the country's Communications, Space and Technology Commission. The CST predicts that the market could reach SR103 billion ($27b) by 2025. (Arab News)
AI a top priority, but challenges remain in Saudi Arabia
#Saudi #Technology – Riverbed Technology's Global AI & Digital Experience Survey highlights that 95% of Saudi leaders prioritize AI, with expectations for full AI integration by 2027. Despite this, only 31% are fully prepared to implement AI projects, facing hurdles like data quality and scalability. (Zawya)
FDI
Salesforce opens new UAE office to support AI transformation
#UAE #digital – Salesforce has opened its new office in Dubai Internet City to support UAE companies' AI-driven digital transformation. The opening event was attended by UAE AI Minister Omar Sultan AlOlama. (Zawya)
TG0 and Zelos partner with UAE NextGenFDI programme
#UAE #FDI – UK-based TG0 and China’s Zelos Technology have joined the UAE's NextGenFDI programme. This provides rapid incorporation, fast visa processing, and financial services access, enhancing their ability to operate and innovate in the UAE market. (SAMENA)
Healthcare
Jordan signs $100 million digital transformation deal
#Jordan #healthcare – Jordan’s Ministry of Planning and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development signed a $100 million agreement to implement digital transformation in healthcare. This follows a contract signed last month with Presight. (Jordan News)
AI Chips
Cerebras likely to postpone IPO due to CFIUS review
#UAE #US #IPO - Cerebras Systems is likely to postpone its IPO, after facing delays with a U.S. national security review on G42's minority investment in the AI chipmaker. G42 agreed to purchase $335 million worth of Cerebras stock by April 2025, a transaction that would give it a 5 percent share. (Reuters)
R&D
Nio and CYVN Holdings launch NIO MENA in Abu Dhabi
#UAE #automotive – Nio has partnered with CYVN Holdings to launch NIO MENA in Abu Dhabi. The companies plan to build an R&D centre focusing on AI and autonomous driving in the Middle East and North Africa. (WAM)
MBZUAI and IBM Research develop AI for deforestation monitoring
#UAE #environment – Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and IBM Research are developing GeoChat+, a vision-language AI model to assess deforestation and environmental impacts. The AI model will use remote sensing data to monitor changes and address environmental challenges. (MBZUAI)
Startups
Egypt’s AI accelerator programme to launch in 2025
#Egypt #startups – Egypt’s AI startup accelerator, AI Accelerate, is set to launch in 2025. Organised by Techne Summit in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, it will provide a comprehensive support ecosystem for emerging AI startups. (Al Mawq3)
Smart cities
Huawei to provide AI cloud services in Egypt’s smart city
#Egypt #cloud – Huawei will deliver AI cloud services to Talaat Moustafa Group’s Noor smart city project in Egypt. The partnership will use Huawei’s technology to accelerate AI-driven urban development. (Huawei Central)
Kuwait Institute develops AI-based energy system
#Kuwait #energy – The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) announced the completion of an AI-powered Home Energy Management System. The project uses AI and machine learning to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency in homes. (MSN)
Digital Readiness
Egypt’s AI and digital ambassadors programme launched
#Egypt #education – Egypt’s National Telecommunication Institute has launched the "AI and Digital Transformation Ambassadors" programme, aiming to boost awareness about AI. (MCIT)
Education
Kuwait to introduce AI labs in schools
#Kuwait #education – Kuwait’s Ministry of Education has partnered with the University of California, Berkeley, to launch AI labs in secondary schools, supporting AI research and innovation, as part of a national initiative to integrate AI into education.(Arab Times)
Qatar's 10th National Robotics Olympiad begins
#Qatar #robotics - Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has launched the 10th edition of the National Robotics Olympiad (NRO) under the theme 'Earth Allies'. The Olympiad features competitions for public and private school students. (The Peninsula)
Tuwaiq Academy students win Saudi WRO qualifiers
#Saudi #robotics – Tuwaiq Academy, in partnership with Misk Schools, celebrated students who won first place in the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) qualifiers. Two Saudi students topped the Future Engineers category, while other teams qualified for the global finals in Türkiye this November. (Saudi Press Agency)
[ This newsletter was AI edited & human edited ]