Saudi's FII to launch think tank; Iran buys combat drones
Good morning,
Here’s this week’s roundup of Middle East AI News!
The big news of the day is that Saudi Arabia will launch a new technology think tank called the Future Investment Initiative Institute later today, under the umbrella of the annual Future Investment Initiative summit (currently scheduled for 28-29 October). The new institute will focus on leveraging new technologies to solve global problems and be chaired by Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chaiman of the Kingdom's sovereign wealth fund.
In other news Dubai-based do-it-yourself robot kits startup Junkbot has launched a Fight Corona Robotic Championship to encourage young minds in the UAE to build new inventions to support COVID-19 response and recovery. Scroll down for this and more!
Have a great weekend!
/Carrington
Saudi Arabia
Future Investment Initiative Institute to be launched today — finance.yahoo.com
#Saudi #AIpolicy #investment - Saudi Arabia will launch a new technology think tank called the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute today, chaired by Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chaiman of the Kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. The FII Institute will initially focus on four key areas healthcare, sustainability, robotics and AI. The Institute's inaugural virtual event 'Beyond the Crisis: Technology to the Rescue' is scheduled to take place today, is moderated by entrepreneur and futurologist Dr. Peter H. Diamandis. A number of virtual events are planned leading up to the the Future Investment Initiative event scheduled for October 2020. (FII)
Startup News
Dubai startup Junkbot launches Fight Corona Robotic Championship to support pandemic response efforts in the UAE — www.entrepreneur.com
#UAE #startups - Dubai-based DIY robot kits startup Junkbot has launched a Fight Corona Robotic Championship. The virtual initiative is designed to encourage young minds in the UAE to build new inventions to support COVID-19 response and recovery using its Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)-based innovative DIY robotics kit. (Entrepreneur)
Drones, AI make a difference during COVID-19 — www.gulftoday.ae
#UAE #Sweden #drones - A first-of-its-kind AI-assisted global drone data platform for health disaster prevention and response, GLOBHE is uniquely equipped to provide crucial information such as drinking water availability, sanitation and hygiene, environmental pollution and chemical hazards. (Gulf Today)
FifthEdge offers free access to AI-driven recruitment platform during pandemic — live.saudigazette.com.sa
#UAE #recruitment - AI-driven recruitment platform, FifthEdge, has launched its Coronavirus Recovery Initiative (CRI) to aid the recovery of employers and employees in the construction and engineering sectors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Saudi Gazette)
Coronavirus
Some countries in the Middle East are using AI to fight the coronavirus pandemic — www.cnbc.com
#GCC #coronavirus - GCC members are stepping up their use of artificial intelligence tools to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.They are increasingly deploying sophisticated technology to ensure that movement is limited and social distancing is in place through the use of speed cameras, drones and robots. (CNBC)
Oman to use drones in fight against COVID-19 — www.arabnews.com
#Oman #coronavirus - The Oman health ministry said it will use drone technology to combat the spread of COVID-19, local daily Times of Oman reported. A joint team of researchers and academics has developed a drone system that can measure and register human temperature remotely. (Arab News)
Digital solutions supporting Qatar’s Covid-19 strategy — oxfordbusinessgroup.com
#Qatar #coronavirus - Qatar Computing Research Institute's (QCRI) Tanbih "fake news" detection platform is being deployed in the fight against virus-related disinformation. Launched in 2018, the news aggregator platform leverages QCRI’s advanced AI and analytics programmes to uncover news being circulated via social media that is deemed to be false. (Oxford Business Group)
UAE sets benchmark in use of drone technology against Covid-19 — www.khaleejtimes.com
#UAE #coronavirus - The UAE's relentless drive to become one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world has been a major contributor in helping it combat the spread of Covid-19. The country's willingness to embrace new technologies, especially drones, has been a major factor in controlling the spread of the virus and keeping residents safe. (Khaleej Times)
Defence
Iranian army acquires combat capable drones with 930-mile range — www.arabnews.com
#Iran #drones - The Iranian armed forces have acquired three bomb-carrying drones with a range of 1,500 kilometers (932 miles), according to Defense Minister Amir Hatami. The drones could monitor “enemy movements from a considerable distance” and were capable of combat missions. (Arab News)