MBZUAI student Ahmed AlShamsi and his team won the Gulf Hackathon for Cybersecurity in Oman for their Secure+ platform. Secure+ uses AI to detect phishing links, identify the source, and provide users with statistics about malicious emails. The platform allows users to browse links safely on the Secure+ server. Why it matters: The award highlights the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem around cybersecurity and AI in the GCC, fostered by initiatives like CyberE71 and guidance from leaders like Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti.
MBZUAI students achieved top honors at the 2022 Dubai Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) Transport Hackathon. Sultan Abu Ghazal and his team developed Scooty, an app for scooter safety monitoring that rewards users for rule adherence. Muhammad Uzair Khattak led a team that created Salem, a mobile application to monitor motorcycle delivery drivers' safety and reduce traffic infractions by using computer vision and mobile sensors. Why it matters: The hackathon win highlights the practical AI skills being developed at MBZUAI and their application to real-world transportation challenges in the UAE.
A team of MBZUAI graduate students won first place at the UAE University's University Challenge for their SawabAI project, which addresses AI-generated misinformation about climate change. The winning team included Salem Bin Saqer AlMarri, Hanoona Bangalath, and Muhammad Maaz, all Computer Vision Ph.D. students. SawabAI is envisioned as a platform to evaluate the authenticity and source of information, including text, image, and video, to combat fake news. Why it matters: This win highlights the growing importance of AI in addressing misinformation and promoting sustainability in government communication within the region.
MBZUAI students won the top three awards at the Alibaba AI Hackathon in Dubai, part of GITEX Global AI InnovateFest. First place went to TalkTrain, a smart business assistant for public speaking practice, developed by Kane Lindsay and Hawau Olamide Toyin. Second place was awarded to Anaaya, a generative AI application for predicting adverse drug interactions, created by Mai A. Shaaban and Anees Ur Rehman Hashmi. Why it matters: This sweep highlights MBZUAI's strength in applied AI research and the potential for its students to create impactful solutions for real-world problems.
MBZUAI computer vision graduate Yahia Dalbah pivoted from electrical engineering to a role at FortyGuard, a clean tech startup focused on geospatial analysis of outdoor temperatures. He will be a research and development engineer, responsible for machine learning and computer vision algorithms. FortyGuard provides governments and businesses with tools to measure and analyze factors affecting heat and temperature. Why it matters: This highlights the potential for AI education in the UAE to drive innovation in sustainability and environmental solutions through local startups.