Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) has launched AI71, a new AI company building on the Falcon generative AI models developed by TII. AI71 will focus on multi-domain specializations, offering AI data control options for companies and countries looking to self-host for greater privacy. The company will be taken to market by ATRC's VentureOne subsidiary, initially targeting the medical, educational, and legal sectors. Why it matters: AI71 aims to establish Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a major AI player by providing decentralized data ownership and promoting broader access to AI technology.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and AI71 are collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to expand global access to TII’s Falcon models and AI71’s enterprise AI products. TII already offers Falcon LLMs through Amazon SageMaker, and new models will be available via Amazon Bedrock. AI71’s products are already available in the AWS Marketplace, providing access for millions of customers globally. Why it matters: This partnership enhances the accessibility of UAE-developed AI technologies and strengthens the UAE's position as a leader in AI innovation by leveraging AWS's global infrastructure and customer base.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) won the UAE AI Award for Emirati AI Solutions for its Falcon LLM series. AI71 also won for LAW71, an AI-powered legal solution, and RAZI71, an AI-powered healthcare solution. The award recognizes AI innovations made in the UAE that demonstrate innovation, AI ethics compliance, maturity, and scalability. Why it matters: The award highlights the UAE's commitment to developing local AI talent and solutions, particularly in open-source models, for global collaboration and positive transformation.
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's (TII) Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) is integrating machine learning (ML) techniques into signal processing to accelerate research. One project used convolutional neural networks to predict COVID-19 pneumonia from chest x-rays with 97.5% accuracy. DERC researchers also demonstrated that ML-based signal and image processing can retrieve up to 68% of text information from electromagnetic emanations. Why it matters: This adoption of ML for signal processing at TII highlights the potential for advanced AI techniques to enhance research and security applications in the UAE.
H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has been named one of TIME's 100 most influential people in AI. Al Bannai's leadership at ATRC has driven AI advancements through the Falcon LLM series developed by TII and the launch of AI71, which delivers AI solutions across sectors like medicine and education. This recognition reflects the UAE’s commitment to using AI for global good. Why it matters: The award highlights the UAE's growing prominence and strategic vision in shaping the global AI landscape, particularly through open-source initiatives.