Dubai ATC to embrace AI; and more Middle East AI News

Welcome to Middle East AI News!

Good morning! This week I'm sharing my full news digest, which goes out via Substack every Thursday morning. If you'd like to receive this new digest in your email inbox earlier than this, you can?subscribe here . If you're happy receiving the Linkedin version later in the morning, then that's wonderful too!

A short newsletter today, due to time pressures, but I have some interesting stories for you!

Dubai will incorporate Saab’s AI-supported air traffic control systems at Dubai International Airport; the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has just launched a new generative AI hackathon to take place next weekend; meanwhile DEWA starts using ChatGPT via its customer service virtual assistant.

Also, scroll down to the end of the newsletter to find Dr Jürgen Schmidhuber's interview with The Guardian about the risks posed by AI. A world-renowned scientist, often referred to as one of the fathers of AI, Dr Schmidhuber is director of the Artificial Intelligence Initiative and professor of the Computer Science program at KAUST.

Have a question or want to share your own perspective? Please do leave a comment or send me a message. I'd love to hear from you!

/Carrington

Middle East AI News – 11-May-23

Aviation

Dubai Airports to upgrade ATC with AI

#UAE #AI ?-?Dubai Airports ’ air traffic control systems are to be powered by AI to improve efficiency. The Integrated Air Traffic Control Suite, developed by?Saab , is being implemented at?Dubai International Airport ?and?Al Maktoum International Airport .?(The National )

Generative AI

SDAIA launches generative AI hackathon

#Saudi #AI ?- The?Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) ?has launched a Generative AI Hackathon, in collaboration with the National Technology Development Program and the New Native accelerator. The event aims to identify and develop business ideas utilizing generative AI technology.?(Arab News )

DEWA pilots ChatGPT for customer service

#UAE #AI ?-?Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) ?is deploying ChatGPT on its AI-powered virtual assistant, Rammas, for customer service improvement. DEWA is the first public utility worldwide and the first government organization in the #UAE ?to use ChatGPT for customer service.?(DEWA )

Funding

MBZUAI and OurCrowd Arabia to boost AI startups

#UAE #ArtificialIntelligence ?-?Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) ?and?OurCrowd? Arabia have signed an MoU to create initiatives promoting AI technology ecosystem growth. The partnership will establish an AI-focused venture capital investment fund and offer research, job, and internship opportunities.?(WAM )

Metaverse

Metaverse could add $55bn to Saudi, UAE economies

#Saudi #UAE #Metaverse ?- A?Deloitte? study suggests that the metaverse could contribute $55 billion to?#Saudi Arabia and UAE economies by 2035. Major industries expected to benefit include tourism, retail, property, and gaming.?(The National )

Startups

Mozn announces GCC expansion, enters UAE

#Saudi #UAE #AI ?- Leading AI startup?Mozn ?has announced its expansion into the UAE and?GCC? markets. Mozn will provide AI-powered regulatory compliance and anti-fraud solutions to financial institutions in the region.?(Zawya )

Environment

AI and big data to prevent forest fires in Morocco

#Morocco #forestry - #Morocco 's National Water and Forests Agency (ANEF) is introducing a new forest fire risk management system to better map risk areas for fires and trigger earlier fire alerts. The risks of forest fires are very real threat during the country's summer season of 2023. (Euro Day )

AI Opinion

AI should not be feared

#Saudi #opinion -?Dr Jürgen Schmidhuber , director of the Artificial Intelligence Initiative and professor of the Computer Science program at?KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) , breaks ranks with many of his contemporaries who are fearful of the AI arms race, he said that artificial intelligence is inevitable but should not be feared.?(The Guardian )

Business leaders open to AI decision-making

#AI #Business ?- A study from?Oracle ?finds that 73% of business leaders in the UAE and 78% of those in Saudi Arabia would prefer AI to make organisational decisions. Companies using technology for data-driven decisions are considered more trustworthy and successful.?(The National )

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