The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) in the UAE will train over 5,000 employees in artificial intelligence. The training aims to enhance their skills and knowledge in line with the UAE's AI strategy. The program will cover various aspects of AI and its applications in the authority's operations. Why it matters: This initiative reflects the UAE's commitment to integrating AI across government sectors to improve efficiency and innovation.
Saudi Arabia has trained 666,000 women in artificial intelligence, according to a recent report. This initiative underscores the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing female participation in the technology sector. The effort aims to solidify Saudi Arabia's position as a global leader in AI empowerment for women. Why it matters: This large-scale training program could help bridge the gender gap in AI and foster more inclusive innovation within the Kingdom and beyond.
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.
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.
MBZUAI and the University of Chicago are collaborating on a program to train governments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to use AI weather forecasting models. Funded by a grant from the UAE Presidential Court, the program's first cohort includes staff from Bangladesh, Chile, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria, receiving training in the UAE at MBZUAI and NCM. The program aims to expand to 30 countries, potentially benefiting millions of farmers by improving yields and livelihoods. Why it matters: This initiative democratizes access to advanced weather forecasting, enabling LMICs to leverage AI for climate resilience and agricultural productivity.