Shorooq Partners, a Middle East investment firm, has $500M in assets under management. Their AI fund is co-led by Dr. Bilal Baloch, who spoke at MBZUAI about venture capital. He advises technical founders to partner with people who complement their skills, especially in policy and commercialization. Why it matters: This highlights the growing sophistication of the venture capital ecosystem in the Middle East for AI startups.
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.
Muhammad Shafique from NYU Abu Dhabi discusses building energy-efficient and robust EdgeAI systems. The talk covers trends, challenges, and techniques for optimizing software and hardware stacks. These optimizations aim to enable embodied AI in autonomous systems, IoT-Healthcare, Industrial-IoT, and smart environments. Why it matters: The research addresses key challenges in deploying AI on resource-constrained edge devices in the GCC region, particularly regarding energy efficiency and security.
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 alumnus Ahmed Sharshar is developing smaller AI models to make the technology more accessible, especially in resource-constrained environments like Egypt. His master's thesis involved creating an app that assesses lung health using mobile phone video analysis, eliminating the need for traditional medical devices. Sharshar is pursuing his Ph.D. at MBZUAI, focusing on lightweight and energy-efficient models for various applications. Why it matters: Democratizing AI through smaller, efficient models can enable broader applications and innovation across diverse sectors in the Middle East and beyond.