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January 20 · Issue #101 · View online
Middle East AI News is a weekly news digest covering artificial intelligence news from across the region.
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Good morning and a Happy New Year! Here’s your weekly roundup of Middle East AI News! And we’re just twenty days into the New Year and there’s already an incredible number of announcements, new initiatives and news events. Unfortunately, one of those events was the drone attack on targets in Abu Dhabi by Houthi rebels in Yemen, resulting in three fatalities and a number of injuries. Among other things, the incident highlighted just how high the stakes are in the race to create military effective unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), anti-drone technology and the ‘identify friend of foe’ systems that can keep skies safe. Thankfully, there was also much good news this week, including the launch of PIF-backed SCAI - the Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence, the launch of a universal processor at Expo 2020 Dubai that promises to delivery ‘human brain-scale’ AI by the end of this year; customer experience platform Lucidya’s $6 million funding round; South Korean President Moon Jae-in visit to the region; and more! Scroll down to check out all this week’s stories. Stay safe and have a great day! /Carrington
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PIF-backed Saudi Company for AI launches operations
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Saudi technology start-up Lucidya raises $6m to fund expansion
#Saudi #funding - Saudi Arabia-based customer experience platform Lucidya has secured $6 million in its Series B funding round led by Rua Growth Fund, with participation from M.A.L Ventures and AlRashed Group. Existing Lucidya investors also participated in the round, including Venture Souq. (The National)
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Wasta seeks $750k funding in 2020
#UAE #funding - Dubai-based professional introduction network Wasta, aims to raise $750k in its first funding round this year. The startup plans to expand its operations across the GCC region, Jordan and Lebanon over the next 18 months. (The National)
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Tachyum launches first 'human brain-scale' processor for HPC at Expo 2020 Dubai
#UAE #HPC - Tachyum introduced its Prodigy Universal Processor for supercomputers at Expo 2020 Dubai yesterday, promising to deliver ‘human brain-scale’ AI to supercomputing during 2022. According to the startup, Prodigy will allow supercomputers that are more than six times faster than EuroHPC’s Leonardo supercomputer. (Linkedin)
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RTA forum reviews traffic rules of driverless flying taxis in Dubai
#UAE #regulation - Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently held the first legal forum to review the rules and regulations governing operations for passenger transport autonomous air vehicles. This preliminary step aims to chart out suitable structures and develop rules and regulations required for UAM operations. (Zawya)
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Bellwether’s free flight reveal of half-scale Volar eVTOL aircraft
#UAE #VTOL - U.K.-based Bellwether Industries has released footage a half-scale prototype of its Volar eVTOL aircraft taking its first flight test in Dubai last November. A full-scale prototype - which could be ready by 2023 - will be able to carry four to five people, cruise at altitudes of up 3,000 feet (915 meters), and speeds of up to 220 km/h (135 mph). (EVTOL)
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South Korean President expresses hope for smart city, hydrogen cooperation with UAE
#UAE #SouthKorea #smartcities - South Korean President Moon Jae-in expressed hope for smart city collaboration between South Korea and the UAE in his keynote speech on carbon neutrality and clean energy at the opening of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week yesterday. Both countries have won worldwide recognition for their smart city initiatives. (Arirang)
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Saudi's Batic inks $3.2mln agreement to acquire stake in Smart Cities Solutions for Communications
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Workshop highlights artificial intelligence infrastructure in Oman
#Oman #AIstrategy - Oman Data Park (ODP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), organised a workshop on Nebula AI, Oman’s first public AI platform. The country announced a National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies in the year 2020. (Times of Oman)
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Proven Robotics opens first robotics technical services and training centre in Saudi Arabia
#Saudi #robotics - Proven Robotics has announced the launch of its first robotics and technical service centre in Riyadh. The facility will support the company’s customers as well as partners and suppliers. (Tahawultech)
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DP World launches new AI-powered platform to streamline customs procedures
#UAE #ports - An AI driven risk engine and smart valuation system drives DP World’s new digital compliance and revenue platform, CARGOES Customs. According to ports and logistics company, the technology platform facilitates completely paperless trade easing the flow of the customs process. (Emirates News Agency)
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MBZUAI researcher developing app to help speech-impaired people talk to Apple's Siri assistant
#UAE #AIvoice - Masters student at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence ( MBZUAI) Karima Kadaoui is developing algorithms to help speech-impaired people communicate and navigate their way through society. ( WIRED ME)
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What does Saudi Arabia’s autonomous vehicle agenda mean to the rest of the world?
#Saudi #AVs - If all goes according to plan, within a few years, one million people will live in Saudi Arabia’s ‘city of the future’ – and every one of them will depend on a fleet of self-driving cars. (ComputerWeekly)
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Cloud seeding scientists win $1.5m grants to boost rainfall in UAE
#UAE #rainfall - The two winners of the fourth grant cycle of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science have each secured $1.5 million grants to support the UAE’s efforts to boost cloud seeding and improve water security. One of the projects involves developing a prototype algorithm that would predict possibilities of rainfall. (The National)
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UAE signs $23bn deal to buy F-35 jets, drones from US
#UAE #defence - The UAE has completed the signing of a $23 billion deal with the US to buy defence equipment and up to 50 American F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, 18 MQ-9B drones and various munitions, according to a statement from the UAE Embassy in Washington. (Arab News)
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About Carrington Malin
Carrington Malin helps large organisations, digital brands and fast growing tech ventures with brand, communications and go-to-market strategies.
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