This article discusses conscious investing and its potential in the Middle East, particularly in light of unprecedented market conditions. It argues that investments should align with values and aim for positive global impact, moving beyond solely maximizing shareholder value. Conscious investing can be as profitable as traditional investing while addressing social and environmental challenges. Why it matters: The piece advocates for integrating ethical considerations into investment strategies within the region, which could lead to more sustainable and socially responsible economic development.
KAUST, VentureSouq, startAD, and Tamkeen have partnered to launch the first Conscious Investor Fellowship in the GCC. The six-week virtual program aims to enable regional investors to create sustainable change through high-impact investments. The fellowship will host 25 investors from family offices, corporations, and government entities. Why it matters: The program aims to empower mission-driven investors in the region and accelerate investment in technology-driven startups addressing societal, economic, and environmental challenges.
MBZUAI's Qirong Ho and colleagues are developing an Artificial Intelligence Operating System (AIOS) for decarbonization, aiming to reduce energy waste in AI development. The AIOS focuses on improving communication efficiency between machines during AI model training, as inefficient communication leads to prolonged tasks and increased energy consumption. This system addresses the high computing power demands of large language models like ChatGPT and LLaMA-2. Why it matters: By optimizing energy usage in AI development, the AIOS could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of AI technologies in the region and globally.
Doug Greenig, Group CEO and CIO of Florin Court Capital based in London and Abu Dhabi, discussed macro trends in 2024 and beyond. Florin Court's Programme has delivered strong returns since 2017, capturing macro themes through alternative markets. Prior to founding Florin Court, Doug held leadership roles at Man/AHL, Fortress Investment Group, and Goldman Sachs. Why it matters: The presence of a leading systematic asset manager like Florin Court in Abu Dhabi signals the growing importance of the UAE as a hub for sophisticated financial firms leveraging AI and quantitative strategies.
This paper explores the use of AI and social media analytics to detect sustainability trends in Saudi Arabia's evolving market, in line with Vision 2030. The study processes millions of social media posts, news articles, and blogs to understand sustainability trends across various sectors. The AI-driven methodology offers sector-specific and cross-sector insights, providing decision-makers with a snapshot of market shifts, and can be adapted to other regions.