MBZUAI President Eric Xing participated in a panel at GITEX/AI-Everything on the future of AI, ethical guidelines, and AI's impact on society. The panel also included MIT Professor Daniela Rus and IBM's Dr. Seth Dobrin, discussing topics such as AI singularity and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Panelists agreed that AI-powered applications will bring significant rewards to countries, companies, and individuals. Why it matters: The discussion highlights the UAE's focus on AI ethics and its potential to drive social and economic growth in the region.
G42 and Publicis Sapient have signed an MOU to explore a joint venture combining G42’s AI infrastructure with Publicis Sapient’s enterprise AI platforms. The venture aims to accelerate digital transformation across the UAE and Global South by deploying AI agents and enabling data-driven operations. It will deliver services across cloud modernization, AI use case development, and enterprise software engineering. Why it matters: This partnership could establish a major AI services platform in the UAE, driving adoption of AI across the region and beyond.
KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) 2024 focused on the theme "Digital Adventure – ride to the future," featuring lectures and activities related to machine learning, AI, and the future of technology. Speakers covered topics from quantum computing and robotics to smart cities and sustainable economies. Rick Fox discussed his company Partanna's work on revolutionizing concrete production with KAUST's Carlos Duarte as an advisor. Why it matters: The event highlights KAUST's role in fostering discussions around cutting-edge technologies and their impact on various sectors within the Kingdom and globally.
The KAUST Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) 2024 will take place from January 7-18 with the theme "Digital Adventure – ride to the future." The program will focus on the effects of AI on health, environment, and economies, as well as entrepreneurial and cultural opportunities. Xin Gao and Michael Berumen are the chairs of this year's event, which includes lectures, panel discussions, and workshops. Why it matters: The WEP program provides a venue for cross-disciplinary discussion on the impact of AI and related technologies, fostering innovation and collaboration within Saudi Arabia and beyond.