A recent study by MIT Technology Review Insights, commissioned by UiPath, found that 90% of surveyed UAE companies plan to increase automation investments in the next 12 months. 40% of UAE respondents expect AI to have the greatest impact on sales, followed by customer service and marketing. The UAE is ahead of other countries in the adoption of AI-driven automation. Why it matters: This indicates growing confidence in AI's ability to improve sales outcomes and overall operational efficiency in the UAE market.
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.
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.