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GCC AI Research

Weekly Digest

May 12 – May 18, 2025

Top Stories

UAE-US ties: Phase 1 of new 5GW AI campus launches in Abu Dhabi - Gulf Business

WAM · · Infrastructure Partnership

Phase 1 of a new '5GW AI campus' has been launched in Abu Dhabi, signaling a major infrastructure development in the region. This initiative highlights strengthening ties between the UAE and the US in advanced technology. The campus is poised to significantly enhance the UAE's capabilities in large-scale artificial intelligence operations. Why it matters: This project underscores the UAE's strategic commitment to building extensive AI infrastructure and fostering international collaborations to establish itself as a prominent global AI hub.

UAE-US ties: Phase 1 of new 5GW AI campus launches in Abu Dhabi - Gulf Business

WAM · · Infrastructure Partnership

Phase 1 of a new 5-gigawatt (GW) AI campus has officially launched in Abu Dhabi, signaling a major advancement in the region's artificial intelligence infrastructure. This development underscores strengthening ties between the UAE and the United States in the technology sector. The campus is poised to become a significant hub for large-scale AI operations and development. Why it matters: This launch represents a substantial investment in cutting-edge AI infrastructure, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in AI capabilities and fostering critical international technological collaboration.

Saudi Arabia and NVIDIA to Build AI Factories to Power Next Wave of Intelligence for the Age of Reasoning - NVIDIA Newsroom

SDAIA · · Infrastructure Partnership

Saudi Arabia is collaborating with NVIDIA to develop and build 'AI factories' within the Kingdom. These 'AI factories' will accelerate the development and deployment of generative AI and other advanced AI applications, providing powerful computing infrastructure. The initiative aims to support Saudi Arabia's vision of becoming a global leader in AI development, enabling what NVIDIA terms the 'Age of Reasoning.' Why it matters: This major strategic partnership signifies Saudi Arabia's significant investment in advanced AI infrastructure, positioning the Kingdom as a key player in the global AI landscape and fostering domestic AI innovation.

LLM-BABYBENCH: Understanding and Evaluating Grounded Planning and Reasoning in LLMs

arXiv · · LLM Research

MBZUAI researchers introduce LLM-BabyBench, a benchmark suite for evaluating grounded planning and reasoning in LLMs. The suite, built on a textual adaptation of the BabyAI grid world, assesses LLMs on predicting action consequences, generating action sequences, and decomposing instructions. Datasets, evaluation harness, and metrics are publicly available to facilitate reproducible assessment.

UAE-US ties: Phase 1 of new 5GW AI campus launches in Abu Dhabi - Gulf Business

WAM · · Infrastructure Partnership

Core42 and PresightAI, subsidiaries of Abu Dhabi-based G42, have partnered with US firms to launch the first phase of a 5GW AI campus in Abu Dhabi. The initial phase involves a 400MW data center, with the broader campus aiming to support advanced AI applications. The project aligns with the UAE's strategy to strengthen its AI infrastructure and international tech partnerships. Why it matters: This initiative underscores the UAE's commitment to becoming a leading global hub for AI research and development, attracting foreign investment and expertise.

Saudi health innovators accelerate smart health impact with KAUST’s experience

KAUST · · Healthcare Partnership

Saudi health innovators are increasing investment in smart health solutions, using KAUST's infrastructure and expertise. The King Salman Center for Disability Research (KSCDR) and KCSH are partnering on AI-based methods to identify genetic causes of rare eye diseases. KAUST and the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) are expanding their agreement to enhance cooperation on AI and digital innovation. Why it matters: These partnerships signal a concerted effort to leverage AI for addressing critical healthcare challenges and advancing the Kingdom's health priorities.