KAUST and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) will establish a capability center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in Saudi Arabia's western region. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by KAUST President Dr. Tony Chan and NIDLP CEO Eng. Suliman Al Mazroua. The center aims to accelerate the adoption of 4IR technologies in sectors like industry, mining, energy and logistics. Why it matters: This partnership will drive digital transformation and economic diversification in line with Saudi Vision 2030 by fostering local capabilities in advanced technologies.
MBZUAI has partnered with the World Economic Forum to launch a Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in the UAE. This center will focus on AI, energy transition, and cyber resilience, aiming to advance AI excellence and competitiveness in the region. It will convene leaders across sectors to co-design and pilot initiatives supporting AI research, governance, adoption, and innovation. Why it matters: This partnership positions the UAE and MBZUAI as key players in shaping the global AI landscape and addressing pressing economic, social, and human challenges through AI.
MBZUAI Assistant Professor Qirong Ho is researching AI operating systems to standardize algorithms and enable non-experts to create AI applications reliably. He emphasizes that countries mastering mass production of AI systems will benefit most from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Ho is co-founder and CTO at Petuum Inc., an AI startup creating standardized building blocks for affordable and scalable AI production. Why it matters: This research aims to democratize AI development and promote widespread adoption across industries in the UAE and beyond.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have launched the Abu Dhabi Centre for Frontier Technologies. The center will focus on Quantum Computing, Robotics, Propulsion & Space systems, and related AI applications. It will operate within WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Global Network. Why it matters: This partnership positions Abu Dhabi as a global hub for advanced technology research and strengthens the UAE's role in shaping the global technology agenda.
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.
A talk at the Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) at TII will discuss rapid prototyping using laser-cutting facilities available at MakerSpace in Al Zeina. The talk will cover constructing prototypes from wood and acrylic and compare this approach to traditional 3D printing. The speakers will also describe the impact of the ‘4th Industrial Revolution’ on manufacturing in the UAE, and how makerspaces can contribute to Operation 300bn. Why it matters: This highlights the UAE's focus on advanced manufacturing and the role of makerspaces in fostering innovation and developing local capabilities.
An article from KAUST discusses the impact of COVID-19 on automation, material science, and VR. It suggests increased automation, voice activation, and motion detection to reduce transmission in public spaces. KAUST faculty member Derya Baran is working on antimicrobial materials for high-touch locations, and KAUST is exploring VR for virtual labs. Why it matters: The pandemic is accelerating the adoption of AI-driven solutions and advanced materials research within Saudi Arabia to address public health challenges.