New Saudi deep tech fund; New Abu Dhabi R&D council board

Middle East AI News weekly digest...

Good morning!

Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News! What a busy summer!

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince announced a new strategy for the Gulf region’s biggest research university, KAUST. Aiming to align research more closely with national prioritise this includes creating a new National Transformation Institute for Applied Research and launching a Deep Tech Innovation Fund.

Turning to Abu Dhabi, last week a new board of directors was announced for the emirate’s Advanced Technology Research Council, the ARTC. If you want to see a strong indication of just how seriously Abu Dhabi is taking its R&D plans, just look at who’s joining the new board. All the details in my article (link below).

Lots of other things to share today! Scroll down for more AI news from across the region.

Thanks for reading!

/Carrington

---

Funding

KAUST announces Deep Tech Innovation Fund

#Saudi #R&D - King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is to launch a $200 million Deep Tech Innovation fund, it was announced on Sunday. The new fund forms, which addresses an area poorly covered by the region’s venture capital ecosystem, is part of a new strategy for the research university. KAUST will also create a National Transformation Institute for Applied Research. (Linkedin)

e& Capital leads Maxbyte $5 million Series A round

#UAE #funding - e& capital led a $5 million investment round for Maxbyte, a prominent Industry 4.0 solutions provider headquartered in the UAE, with operations in India and the USA. The funding aims to accelerate Maxbyte's expansion and product evolution. (Emirates News Agency)

R&D

R&D moves up Abu Dhabi's agenda

#UAE #R&D — His Highness Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, issued a resolution to restructure the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) board of directors this week, bringing together some of the biggest stakeholders in Abu Dhabi's technology vision. (Middle East AI News)

Education

SDAIA launches data science & AI camps

#Saudi #training - Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has launched the first phase of its AI camps, aiming to upskill 240 students and young professionals with data science and AI proficiencies. Taking place from September 17th to December 15th, the camp will cover a variety of AI-related subjects. (SPA)

Saudi Interior Ministry to enhance AI capabilities

#Saudi #education - The King Fahd Security College of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is to develop a new AI master’s programme designed for the Saudi Ministry of Interior. The curriculum will aim to boost the ability of management to use AI and data and embrace data-driven decision-making. (Arab News)

42 Abu Dhabi & AWS hold AI camp

#UAE #blockchain - 42 Abu Dhabi, AWS and the UAE Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office recently ran training sessions on AI, blockchain and digital transformation as part of the UAE’s AI Summer Camp 2023. (Gulf News)

UM6P summer school to empower African women in tech

#Morocco #training - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in collaboration with the OCP Foundation introduced an AI skills summer school. Aimed at bolstering women's tech leadership, the program offers training in AI project management and market research. (Morocco World News)

Ministry of Interior employees graduate from drone training

#Saudi #drones - The Ministry of Interior Development Program, in partnership with King Fahd Security College at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), marked the graduation of its inaugural Drones Training Program cohort. Trainees completed courses in aerial videography, security surveillance, and more, equipping them for international drone piloting. (SPA)

CST opens registration for Mawhoob competition

#Saudi #spacetech - The Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) announces the opening of the registration for the Mawhoob Competition to qualify for the Astronomy and Space Olympiad, in collaboration with ‘Mawhiba’ ( King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity), to build a generation of leaders and innovators in the space sciences and technology, Registrations accepted up until September 25, 2023. (SPA)

Healthcare

KFSHRC pioneers robotic brain surgery

#Saudi #roboticsurgery - King Faisal Specialist Hospital executed a pioneering robotic surgery, implanting chips in a patient's brain to pinpoint seizure zones. This minimally invasive method, a first in the Middle East, presents a superior alternative to traditional frame-based procedures. (SPA)

Energy

Sunpure lands deal for Saudi 348MW solar project

#Saudi #cleaningrobots - Sunpure has signed an agreement with Elsewedy Electric to deliver intelligent cleaning robots for a 348MW solar project in Saad, Ar Riyadh province. The endeavor is part of the Kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Program, aiming for commission in 2024. (Saudi Gulf Projects)

Data Centres

Datamount to launch new data centre in Muscat

#Oman #datacentres - Datamount is set to introduce one of Oman’s largest data centres in Muscat Governorate. Named Al Bandar Centre, the new data centre will feature over 700 racks, according to the company. (Zawya)

Defence

Mohayer-10 drone and Iranian officials (Image credit; Iranian Presidency Office)

Iran unveils advanced Mohajer-10 drone

#Iran #drones - Iran's state media showcased the new Mohajer-10 drone, boasting a 2,000 km range and 24-hour flight duration. With a 300 kg payload, it doubles the capacity of its predecessor, Mohajer-6. (Reuters)