New Abu Dhabi AI company; SDAIA launches Saudi Data Index

Middle East AI News weekly digest...

Good morning!

Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News!

A big week for Abu Dhabi’s AI ecosystem, as a new AI company called AI71 was launched by the Advanced Technology Research Council: Abu Dhabi’s answer to OpenAI! The company will drive adoption of the Falcon LLM developed by Technology Innovation Institute and develop domain-specific applications for customers, ensuring that they retain full control of their data.

Meanwhile, the Saudi government’s digital transformation reached a new milestone this week with the launch of the National Data Index, a monitoring and assessment index that shifts focus to optimisation and best practices.

Also, MachinesTalk signs a SAR 28 million deal with car rental group Lumi; Eve Air Mobility signs with Flynas to explore possible eVTOL services in Saudi Arabia; and Telecom Egypt proceeds with the second phase of its regional data hub.

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 Reda Nidhakou of VentureOne - the commercialisation arm of Abu Dhabi's R&D policy body Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) - about AI71, the new AI company launched earlier this week! (see story below)

Click here to attend today’s THURSDAY DEEP DIVE!

Thanks for reading!

/Carrington

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Generative AI

Abu Dhabi launches new global AI company

#UAE #LLMs - The Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) launched AI71 - a new global AI company - at an exclusive event in a resort on Saadiyat Island this week, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. The new company will set out to leverage AI to solve the world's most meaningful problems. (Middle East AI News)

Also see: Middle East AI News LIVE - THURSDAY DEEP DIVE

Data Transformation

Saudi launches National Data Index

#SaudiArabia #digitaltransformation - The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the National Transformation Program (NTP) today launched the country's first National Data Index. The government aims to use the index to help promote transparency, create a national data-based economy, and contribute to the assessment of data maturity in government entities. (Middle East AI News)

M&A

PureHealth acquires PureCS

#UAE #healthcare - The UAE's largest healthcare group PureHealth, has acquired 100% of Dubai-based cloud and technology services provider PureCS. The healthcare group aims to leverage the company's capabilities in cyber security, AI and digital services. (Tawultech)

Transport

Lumi and MachinesTalk sign $7.5 million deal

#Saudi #transport - Saudi car rental company Lumi has signed a five-year SAR 28 million ($7.5m) agreement with MachinesTalk, a leading IoT solutions provider to transform its fleet management. The fleet management system will use AI, IoT and satellite technologies. MachinesTalk was recently acquired by IoT Squared, a joint venture of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and stc Group. (Zawya)

MRO

Hafnia Tankers to use AI to detect corrosion

#UAE #maritime - Leading oil product tanker owners and operator Hafnia Tankers, has partnered with Dubai-based AI start-up, SteelCorr, to monitor vessel corrosion. SteelCorr’s AI-driven app Digital Paint Report, will monitor 57 of its vessels at sea, for corrosion and paint maintenance. (Gulf News)

Biometrics

Muscat airport introduces facial biometric ID

#Oman #bordersecurity - Muscat International Airport in Oman has introduced biometric facial recognition for security control. Beginning this week, citizens and residents can use new e-gates equipped with facial recognition, without displaying their passports, streamlining the departure and arrival process. (MSN)

Biometric systems save time at Abu Dhabi airport

#UAE #bordersecurity - Abu Dhabi International Airport, has introduced new biometric systems at its new Terminal A, offering passengers a faster and smoother journey to their gate. The new security systems, allow passengers to get from the kerb outside the terminal to their gate in 12 minutes. (The National)

Mobile phone ewaste lab opened in Dubai

#UAE #ewaste - US tech company Basatne International, has opened a laboratory in Dubai Silicon Oasis to assess the lifespan of mobile devices. The new facility uses AI and robotics to reduce e-waste, by assessing whether mobile phones can be refurbished or recycled. The facility can process 7,000 devices per day. (Zawya)

Education

Libya launches French-funded digital schools platform

#Libya #digitalschools - A French-funded digital education platform providing interactive and practical tech education has been launched. Called ”Taa”) is part of efforts to digitalise education in Libya and will soon be introduced in six primary schools in Tripoli, Janzour, Zliten, Benghazi, Sebha, and Misrata as a pilot project set to commence in December 2023. (Libya Herald)

eVTOL

Eve and Flynas to explore eVTOL services

#Saudi #eVTOL - Eve Air Mobility, the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft subsidiary of Embraer, has signed an agreement with Riyadh-headquartered low cost airline Flynas, to explore commercial e.V.T.O.L. operations in Saudi Arabia. The two companies will look at the feasibility of starting e.V.T.O.L. services between Riyadh and Jeddah by 2026. (Zawya)

Qatar Airways Cargo and Dronamics sign cargo agreement

#Qatar #dronedelivery - UK cargo drone company Dronamics and Qatar Airways Cargo have signed an interline agreement – the first between an international airline and a cargo drone airline. Via the agreement, Dronamics will offer cargo services from its droneports to the wider Qatar Airways Cargo network. (Aviation Business)

Data Centres

Telecom Egypt, Raya move to phase 2 of Data Hub project

#Egypt #datacentres - Telecom Egypt (TE) and Raya Information Technology have signed a deal to proceed with the second phase of TE’s Regional Data Hub (RDH) project. The second phase is expected to be completed and operational in 18 months, in response to the growing demand for data services. (Daily News Egypt)

Robotics

Oman team takes part in World Robot Olympiad

#Oman #Panama #robotics - A team of two represented Oman in the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) held in Panama earlier this month. 451 teams from 81 countries participated in the competition. (Times of Oman)

AI Diplomacy

Iraq and Iran prepare to sign ICT agreement

#Iraq #Iran #trade - Iraq and Iran are finalising an ICT cooperation agreement to be signed imminently. Under the agreement the two countries will explore linking communications infrastructure, plus cooperating in artificial intelligence and cyber security. Thanks for reading Middle East AI News! Subscribe for free to receive more news and updates from the region. (Iran Press)

Geopolitics

G42 CEO hits back at allegations

#UAE #US #China - The head of Abu Dhabi’s AI firm G42, Peng Xiao, responded to allegations that its customers in China expose the UAE to geopolitical risk, following a New York Times report that the US has been probing G42’s work with U.S.-sanctioned Chinese telecom giant Huawei and others. (The Circuit)