Two mothers in the UAE have created an AI-powered teddy bear named "Emar" designed to help neurodivergent children communicate. Emar uses sensors and machine learning to analyze a child's emotional state through voice and touch. The AI then provides feedback and suggests coping mechanisms to both the child and their parents. Why it matters: This innovative application of AI offers a novel approach to supporting neurodivergent children and their families in the UAE.
MBZUAI researchers developed LetBabyTalk, an AI-powered multilingual parenting app that analyzes baby cries to identify needs like hunger or sleepiness. The app is trained on over 1,000 baby cries and uses supervised machine learning with input from experienced parents and educators. Cradle AI, the startup behind the app, aims to bridge the gap between advanced AI research and real-world solutions, focusing on family care and education. Why it matters: This project demonstrates the potential of AI to address everyday challenges and improve the lives of families in the region and globally, while also showcasing MBZUAI's focus on AI for social good.
Maha Elgarf from NYU Abu Dhabi presented research on using social robots to stimulate creativity in children through subconscious mimicry, leveraging the 'chameleon effect'. The research involved a series of studies where children engaged in storytelling with a social robot, and their creativity was assessed. Elgarf also discussed using Large Language Models (LLMs) in education and challenges in the field. Why it matters: This explores innovative applications of social robotics and AI in education within the UAE, potentially enhancing children's learning and creativity.
MBZUAI will present two assistive AI prototypes at GITEX 2025: smart glasses with a camera and eye tracker that identify objects and medication, and a brain-computer interface (BCI) device integrated with robotics to control a robotic dog's movements. The smart glasses use a multimodal large language model (LLM) to help visually impaired individuals, while the BCI aims to restore hands-free communication for people with mobility limitations. Hisham Cholakkal leads the research team, which received a Meta Regional Research Grant 2025 for its work on multimodal LLM for smart wearables. Why it matters: The research demonstrates the potential of AI to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations and addresses the challenge of providing cost-effective care for aging societies.
MBZUAI's Women in AI (WAI) club, founded by master’s students Asma Hashmi and Ameera Bawazir, aims to increase female representation in AI at MBZUAI and the UAE. The club aligns with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, addressing the underrepresentation of women in AI globally (22%). MBZUAI reports 31% female students in its first cohort and hopes to increase this, supported by faculty like Prof. Najwa Aaraj. Why it matters: This initiative highlights efforts to close the gender gap in AI within the UAE's leading AI university, fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem.