New Gulftainer startup challenge; DP World launches security USVs
Good morning!
Here's your weekly roundup of Middle East AI News!
Scroll down for news about startups, unmanned security boats, energy, tourism, education, R&D and smart cities.
I also link to a 'Global AI Agenda - Middle East and Africa' report published last weekend by MIT Technology Review Insights. This is research from January/February (so pre-lockdown). 82% of MEA respondents surveyed had launched AI programmes by the end of 2019. Meanwhile, 58% viewed business or process challenges as a constraint to using insights generated by AI. You'll find the story and link to the report at the end of the newsletter.
Stay safe and have a great weekend!
/Carrington
Startup News
Motori looks to remove the stress from dealing with car accidents — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #insurance - The Abu Dhabi-based motor insurance tech startup Motori is changing how vehicle owners and insurers process claims, with an AI-powered platform that brings bringing vehicle owners, insurers, road assistance companies and repair shops together. (The National)
Gulftainer launches Global Startup Challenge to boost tech innovation in ports and logistics sector — www.cbnme.com
#UAE #startups - Gulftainer, the world’s largest privately owned, independent port operator, announced today the launch of the Future of Ports Startup Challenge 2020 to identify startups from across the globe with the ambition to lead the transformation of the port management and logistics industries. (CBNME)
AI-powered fleet management SaaS Tayar graduates from Flat6Labs Cairo — www.zawya.com
#Egypt #startups - Tayar, an AI-powered fleet management SaaS is one of the eight startups graduating from Flat6Labs Cairo's Spring 2020 cycle. The startup uses AI to automate and optimise home delivery operations for businesses. (Zawya.com)
Security
DP World launches autonomous security boats at UAE ports — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #USVs- DP World, UAE Region’s next-generation security solutions provider World Security has launched the first autonomous security surveillance boat in the Middle East to upgrade security and surveillance at Jebel Ali Port, Mina Rashid, Mina Al Hamriya and other facilities in the UAE. (The National)
Injazat opens cyber security centre in Abu Dhabi to develop next-generation technologies — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #cybersecurity - Abu Dhabi-based Injazat, a IT solutions and services company fully owned by Mubadala, has launched a Cyber Fusion Centre to provide enterprise protection against data breaches and cyberattacks. According to the company, it will integrate behavior analytics and machine learning to provide a unified approach to neutralise potential threats. (The National)
Need to focus on cybersecurity, adopt AI to protect vital sectors — www.wam.ae
#UAE #cybersecurity - A series of reports from the Dubai Future Research, an initiative by the Dubai Future Foundation, DFF, anticipates the future of vital sectors in the aftermath of the ongoing global coronavirus crisis with several intelligence agencies worldwide exploring the adoption of AI to counter cyber threats. (Emirates News Agency)
Tourism
Al Forsan becomes A.I. Forsan to show the way in Abu Dhabi — gulfnews.com
#UAE #robotics - Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi is among the first sports facilities that has reopened following a lengthy break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. New measures include the deployment of an unmanned self-operating sanitisation robot (CoDi BOT UGV) from Marakeb Technologies. (Gulf News)
Education
Egypt to include AI faculty in Tanta University — www.zawya.com
#Egypt #education - Egypt's Cabinet has approved the establishment of an AI division at Tanta University. The new faculty aims at supporting the advanced education sector which relies on AI technologies, in addition to decreasing the number of students who travel to study abroad. (Zawya.com)
Five winners named for Dubai's One Million Arab Coders Initiative — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #1MCoders - Five students who took up courses from the One Million Arab Coders Initiative have shown how tech and innovation can change lives. The top five student coders were selected for their projects that can make a difference in their communities in the Arab world. (Khaleej Times)
R&D
AI is poised to fuel growth but who is leading the charge? — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #US #R&D - The US is the front-runner in attracting talent to develop artificial intelligence, mainly from abroad, while the UAE is carving out a unique role in the Middle East as an AI testbed, according to new research. (The National)
Smart Cities
Digital twin for Dubai with 2D, 3D maps of all assets planned — gulfnews.com
#UAE #digitaltwins - Dubai Municipality's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Centre has launched ‘Dubai Here’, an electronic system that provides access to geospatial data and maps of the emirate. (Gulf News)
Drones
Fortem Technologies brings first-of-its-kind complete end-to-end counter drone security to Gulf — www.zawya.com
#UAE #drones - Fortem Technologies, the technical leader for counter drone security and defense solutions, announced today that it has expanded its global presence with a strategic GCC end-user deployment in the national security and defense sector. The SkyDome System and DroneHunter defend against low flying drones. (Zawya.com)
Energy
TP Group secures $300,000 AI contract with Gulf Data International — www.morningstar.co.uk
#UAE #UK #oil&gas - Reading-based software solutions company TP Group PLC says that it has signed a contract with Gulf Data International Co LLC to develop artificial intelligence tools for use in the oil & gas industry in the UAE. (Morning Star)
Research
The global AI agenda: The Middle East and Africa — www.technologyreview.com
#MEA #AI - According to a new MIT Technology Review Insights 'The Global AI Agenda - MEA' survey, 82 percent of respondents surveyed in the Middle East and Africa had launched artificial intelligence programmes by the end of 2019, highlighting the appetite across the two regions to harness the benefits of AI. (MIT Technology Review)