UAE genome strategy; UAE proceeds with CBDC

Middle East AI News weekly news digest...

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Here’s your weekly Middle East AI News!

The UAE has officially launched its ambitious National Genome Strategy, which - with artificial intelligence at its core - aims to map the genome sequences of each Emirati citizen and offer precision healthcare. The expectation is that the strategy will help facilitate and inspire a new genomics research sector in the UAE, building a valuable scientific and technology ecosystem, and attracting young Emiratis to related STEM professions.

In other news, Presight.ai’s Monday debut on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange saw its stock soar 176%; the UAE Central Bank has begun implementing its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) strategy; and drone investments in the Sultanate of Oman top $100 million, according to a new report.

Thanks for reading!

/Carrington

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UAE National Genome Strategy

UAE President launches National Genome Strategy

Image via Midjourney

#UAE #genomics - The Emirates Genome Council launched the National Genome Strategy this week, in what is expected to be a gamechanger for healthcare in the UAE and the development of precision medicine. The Emirati Genome Programme (EGP) is a foundational project within the National Genome Strategy and is one of the most comprehensive genomic initiatives in the world. (The National)

Presight.AI IPO

Presight AI soars 176% in Abu Dhabi debut after $496 million IPO

#UAE #IPO - Presight AI Holding Plc, a data analytics firm owned by Abu Dhabi’s G42, soared in its trading debut, in the latest sign of strong demand for Middle Eastern offerings. The shares jumped as much as 176% to 3.7 dirhams at open on Monday. (Bloomberg)

AI market

Artificial Intelligence market to reach $1.9b by 2026

#UAE #spending - The value of the AI market in the UAE is expected to reach $1.9 billion by 2026, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.2 per cent, according to a research report from Research and Markets. The AI market in the Middle East and Africa is expected to grow from $500 million in 2020 to $8.4 billion by 2026, representing a CAGR of 47.8 per cent. (Khaleej Times)

Education

American University in Dubai team wins EGA robotics competition

#UAE #robotics - Emirates Global Aluminium has announced the American University in Dubai as winner of its fifth edition of Al Robot competition. The challenge invited students from UAE universities and higher education institutions to design and construct prototype industrial robots for deployment at EGA’s aluminium smelters. (Emirates News Agency)

In conflict-scarred Libya, young robotics fans see hope in hi-tech

#Libya #robotics - Youssef Jira, a fresh-faced 18-year-old in a hoodie, has big ambitions in a Libyan society where youthful creativity has long been sacrificed to dictatorship and violence. He wants to encourage other young people to use hi-tech to help modernize the divided and conflict-scarred country. (AFP)

Robotics

Robotics & Automation Society holds inaugural meet at Dubai Future Labs

#UAE #robotics - The Robotics and Automation Society held its first meeting at Dubai Future Labs, bringing together experts, researchers, innovators, scientists, and engineers in the field of R&A. The society has been registered as a public benefit establishment with its headquarters in Dubai. (Emirates News Agency)

Telecom

MBRSC signs MoU with e& enterprise to collaborate on AI

#UAE #telecom - Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has signed an MoU with e& enterprise part of e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group), to explore the opportunity to develop a joint go-to-market (GTM) and a commercial model to take MBRSC’s models and predictions to the market. (Zawya)

Smart Cities

TII partners with MBZUAI to drive Abu Dhabi’s smart city ambitions

#UAE #smartcities - The AI and Digital Science Research Center (AIDRC) of Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has partnered with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) to accelerate Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a smart and sustainable city by 2030 by enhancing its capabilities in AI and cybersecurity. (Emirates News Agency)

AI and tech to enable NEOM to seamlessly connect the world

#Saudi #aviation - NEOM Airlines is slated to launch its services by the end of Q4 2024, according to its CEO Klaus Goersch. Goersch says the airline's a legacy-free approach, uniquely positions NEOM Airlines to personalise the customer experience in a way not seen before in the aviation industry. (ITP)

CBDC

UAE Central Bank starts implementing Digital Dirham strategy

#UAE #CBDC - The UAE Central Bank has begun implementing its digital currency strategy, Digital Dirham, as it prepares the country's infrastructure for the future of finance. It signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi's G42 Cloud and digital finance services provider R3 to be the infrastructure and technology providers, respectively, for the implementation of its central bank digital currency (CBDC). (The National)

Drone

Investments in Oman's drone industry top $100 million

#Oman #drones - More than $100 million has already been invested in the Sultanate of Oman's domestic drone industry, according to a new report from telecom services company TS2 SPACE. Agriculture, energy, government and last-mile logistics were identified as key areas in the report. (Oman Observer)

Defence

First US-Saudi counter-drone exercise at Red Sands facility

#Saudi #US #antidrone - The US and Saudi Arabia completed their first joint counter-drone exercise last week at the new ‘Red Sands’ military testing center in Riyadh, according to the head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). The exercise was the first of its kind between the two militaries, and US officials hope to replicate this with other armies in the region. (Al Arabiya)