New Saudi inspection robot; DIFC to launch new $100m VC fund
Good morning!
Here’s your weekly roundup of Middle East AI News!
Yesterday, Dubai's Crown Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed announced a new $100 million venture capital fund to be launched by DIFC in June.
Meanwhile, another survey polls the UAE's attitudes towards AI, this time conducted by YouGov on behalf of Dataiku. The report finds UAE audiences expect to be more affected by AI and data in the future.
The Dataiku report also finds that the people surveyed believe that they will use more data in the future. [And my first thought was: when - during the past 30 years - would that not be true?]
Scroll down for these stories and more!
Stay safe and have a great day!
/Carrington
Investment
Dubai to launch $100m DIFC-managed venture capital fund to support growth stage start-ups — www.thenationalnews.com
#UAE #venturecapital - Dubai will launch a new $100 million venture capital fund in June 2022 to invest in tech startups. Managed by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the fund is expected to focus on growth-stage FinTech startups. (The National)
Robotics
Saudi-designed marine inspection robot almost ready for full-production: RPDC CEO — www.arabnews.com
#Saudi #energy - Saudi Arabia’s Research Products Development Co. (RPDC), a subsidiary of PIF-owned TAQNIA, is preparing an Aramco developed marine inspection robot for ''full-production' to support offshore oil operations. (Arab News)
LuLu’s new Sharjah hypermarket deploys food service robots — gulfnews.com
#UAE #foodservice - LuLu Group's new 165,000 square feet three level hypermarket in Sharjah has deployed food service robots developed by US-based PurpleCloud. The robots will serve food to tables in the cafeteria area. (Gulf News)
AI Adoption
66% of UAE workers believe AI and data science will impact their role in the next five years — www.tahawultech.com
#UAE #AIadoption - A new survey conducted by YouGov in early 2022 for data science platform company Dataiku has revealed that 66% of UAE respondents believe AI and data science will impact their role in the next 5 years. (Tahawultech)
R&D
National Center for Emerging Network Technologies opens at King Saud University — www.arabnews.com
#Saudi #5G - The National Center for Emerging Network Technologies at King Saud University in Riyadh has been officially opened. Powered by Huawei, the new center aims to develop 5G applications and identify frameworks for developing local talent. (Arab News)
TII names two eminent scientists to the board of AI Cross-Center Unit — www.tii.ae
#UAE #R&D - Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a global research center and the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has announced the appointment of two highly decorated mathematicians to the Board of Advisors of its Artificial Intelligence Cross-Center Unit (AICCU). (TII)
Digital Transformation
New 3-year DIFC courts plan approved, with a focus on AI, automation and digital services — wam.ae
#UAE #justice - A new three-year strategic plan has been approved for Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), supporting the centre's drive for digital transformation. DIFC has a vision for a hyper connected judicial network. (Emirates News Agency)
Healthcare
Robotic arm to be used for hip replacement surgeries at Abu Dhabi hospital — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #roboticsurgery - A first-of-its-kind procedure using an orthopaedic robotic arm for hip replacement surgery will be introduced in Abu Dhabi next month, according to officials at Healthpoint hospital. (Khaleej Times)
Interview
UAE vows 'responsible' AI rollout — www.france24.com
#UAE #AIpolicy - The world's first minister for artificial intelligence Omar Al-Olama says the United Arab Emirates isn't only looking for economic benefits as it seeks to become a leading nation in the sector. (AFP)
Future
Welcome to the AI-powered future of government — wired.me
#UAE #digitaltransformation - Few countries have embraced this transformation as passionately as the UAE, which in 2017 appointed Omar Al-Olama as the world’s first minister of state for artificial intelligence. (WIRED ME)
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About Carrington Malin — www.carringtonmalin.com Carrington Malin helps large organisations, digital brands and fast growing tech ventures with brand, communications and go-to-market strategies.