NYUAD to boost AI research; Oman Logistics Center tests delivery drones
Good morning,
Here’s this week’s roundup of Middle East AI News!
We are seeing more and more evidence in the Middle East of emerging technology solutions being fast-tracked due to the impact of Covid-19. Police and public health services both seem to be embracing new drone, robotics and AI technologies at a rapid rate. Drones and robots are now in use across the region for coronavirus-related programes, from security, to healthcare and sanitisation.
Scroll down to read this week's stories.
Have a great weekend!
/Carrington
Drone Delivery
OLC conducts tests for delivery drones — muscatdaily.com
#Oman #drones - Oman Logistics Center (OLC), a member of Asyad Group, is conducting experiments for delivering parcels through drones to speed up logistics and improve efficiency. (Muscat Daily)
R&D
NYU Abu Dhabi to boost AI research — www.cxoinsightme.com
#UAE #R&D - NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has partnered with the Inception Institute of Artificial Intelligence (IIAI) to improve theAI research framework within Abu Dhabi. IIAI will also fund up to five NYUAD researchers as part of its Global PhD Fellows program in AI. (CXO Insight ME)
Cracking down on crime with AI — www.timeshighereducation.com
#Qatar #R&D - Researchers at Qatar University are using AI to expose the criminals lurking in the virtual shadows. One of the latest projects was one uncovering criminals’ hidden online messages. (Times Higher Education)
Coronavirus
Saudi Arabia's technology investments pay off in coronavirus battle — www.cio.com
#Saudi #coronavirus - The Covid-19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia has become an unexpected catalyst for demand for mobile apps, government portals, and emerging tech like drones. (CIO)
100 days of coronavirus: Has artificial intelligence helped? — www.thenational.ae
#UAE #coronavirus - In the 100 days since the first case was reported to the World Health Organisation from Wuhan, China, one technology has emerged to underpin much of the response to Covid-19: artificial intelligence. (The National)
Saudi food authority uses artificial intelligence to facilitate medical attention — www.arabnews.com
#Saudi #coronavirus - The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has launched electronic services to promote health awareness and interactive communication. The services include a WhatsApp chatbot called Sarah and an app called Tameni, in cooperation with the National Digital Transformation Unit, which use AI, business intelligence, and an electronic inspection system. (Arab News)
Dubai Police using AI to find out if your trip was essential — gulfnews.com
#UAE #coronavirus - Dubai Police will use AI before deciding whether or not to issue fines to people for moving about during the UAE's 24-hour coronavirus sterilisation programme. (Gulf News)
This robot can remotely detect Covid-19 patients — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #coronavirus - While the novel coronavirus is sweeping the entire world, an engineer with Ajman University (AU) has come out with a smart robot that can remotely detect Covid-19 patients. The self-operating robot can be run via a remote control, while the data collected can be seen remotely. (Khaleej Times)
Jordan becomes latest Mideast country to deploy drones in virus response — www.wionews.com
#Jordan #Qatar #coronavirus - Jordan started to deploy drones to fight the coronavirus pandemic this week, joining a host of Middle East countries using the technology to enforce curfews, deliver public health announcements and even monitor people's temperatures. (AFP)
Abu Dhabi civil defence use robot during Covid-19 sanitisation drive (Video) — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #coronavirus - The Abu Dhabi police, teaming up with Abu Dhabi's waste management centre Tadweer, is using robots during the ongoing national sterilisation programme being carried out to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. (Khaleej Times)
Smart Cities
Neom is Saudi's mega-green Gotham city — www.greenprophet.com
#Saudi #smartcities - A fake moon, artificial rain, holographic teachers, flying cars...one advance is more bombastic than the next. Saudi aims to build a great Gotham city at the Red Sea. (Green Prophet)
Sports
UAE Karate team uses AI in communication platform for technical teams and competitors — wam.ae
#UAE #karate - The UAE Karate Federation is using AI to offer an advanced programme that serves as a communication platform for technical teams and competitors in the national Karate team. (Emirates News Agency)
Education
AUBH announces assessment process — www.newsofbahrain.com
#Bahrain #education - The American University of Bahrain's mid-term examinations will be administered via US-based Proctor-U AI-enabled secure online assessment platform. (News of Bahrain)
Women in AI
Meet Saudi Arabia's female heroes of AI — www.abouther.com
#Saudi #women - Forbes recently published a feature entitled “The Women Defining The 21st Century AI Movement”, which included General Manager of Digital Technology at STC Academy, Moudhi ALJamea; Latifa Al-Abdulkarim is the Assistant Professor in Artificial Intelligence; and Strategy Leader at IBM Saudi Arabia, Deema Alathel. (About Her)