#UAE #startups - SANDBOX, the first-of-its-kind Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) startup programme to support early-stage technology startups has received more than 600 applications within four months of its launch. Startups accepted into the programme include: robotic logistics startup Delivers.ai; AI and blockchain powered B2B marketplace Distichain; and Ingeniodata, an IoT company that offers an indoor wayfinding solutions. (Zawya)

#UAE #DIFC - Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has launched a ground-breaking AI and coding licence in cooperation with the Artificial Intelligence Office, UAE. The new business licence will allow more software developers to work within the DIFC Innovation Hub. (Emirates News Agency)

#UAE #digitalschool - The Digital School, one of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has been launched in five countries to help educate underprivileged children, with a goal to enrol 20,000 students this year. (The National)

#UAE #robotics - Nine students from Sheikha Bint Saeed Secondary School, Ajman displayed a robot prototype that could be used to build skyscrapers. The robot won the Technology Girls Group first prize in the FIRST Robotic Competition in 2019, UAE. (Khaleej Times)

#Egypt #smartgrid - Cisco and Schneider Electric have partnered to build the largest and most advanced smart grid in#Egypt that will use AI and IoT to manage traditional and renewable energy sources. Schneider Electric signed a contract with Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy to build and transform four control centers for Egypt’s national grid, in 2020. (Zawya)

#Saudi #UAE #police - The Saudi Technology and Security Comprehensive Control Co. (Tahakom), which is backed by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, signed a cooperation agreement with Dubai Police in the UAE, in the field of AI systems, traffic management, and monitoring violations. (Arab News)

#Saudi #regulation - Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has begun issuing out commercial and recreational drone operator permits after a four month delay. The delay was due to linking GACA’s permit system with the Presidency of State Security in order to carry out background checks on applicants. (Arab News)

#Japan #UAE #opera - Organised by the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Dubai show marks the world premiere of Mirror - an ‘android opera’ created by Japanese composer Keiichiro Shibuya. (The National)

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