arXiv ·
MBZUAI releases Bactrian-X, a multilingual parallel dataset of 3.4 million instruction-response pairs across 52 languages. They trained low-rank adaptation (LoRA) adapters using this dataset, creating lightweight, replaceable components for large language models. Experiments show the LoRA-based models outperform vanilla and existing instruction-tuned models in multilingual settings.
MBZUAI ·
MBZUAI researchers created Bactrian-X, a new dataset to improve LLM instruction following in low-resource languages. The dataset leverages instruction tuning, pairing instructions in various languages with expected responses. Bactrian-X builds upon existing open-source instruction tuning models. Why it matters: This work aims to democratize access to LLMs by enabling users to interact with them in their native languages, even when English proficiency is limited.
MBZUAI ·
The Russian Immune Diversity Atlas project aims to profile immune cells from people of different ancestries at a multiomics level. The goal is to reconstruct a reference atlas of the healthy immune system and investigate its perturbations in Type II Diabetes (T2D). The project seeks to identify novel mechanisms and genetic/epigenetic markers for early T2D diagnostics, prognosis, and therapy as part of the international Human Cell Atlas. Why it matters: Addressing genetic diversity in biomedical research, particularly in the context of the Human Cell Atlas, is crucial for personalized medicine and ensuring that treatments are effective across diverse populations in the Middle East and globally.
KAUST ·
Researchers at KAUST have developed a nanocomposite material that converts X-rays into light with nearly 100% efficiency. The material combines a metal-organic framework (MOF) containing zirconium with an organic TADF chromophore. This design achieves high resolution and sensitivity in X-ray imaging, potentially reducing medical imaging doses by a factor of 22. Why it matters: This innovation could lead to more efficient and safer medical imaging and security screening technologies in the region and beyond.
KAUST ·
KAUST's Beacon Development (KBD) is a key partner in the Heart of Arabia expedition, retracing a 750-mile journey across Saudi Arabia. The expedition aims to advance human performance understanding in extreme environments and deepen knowledge of pre-Islamic history and local biodiversity. KBD's Terrestrial Ecology and Conservation team is advising the field science component, providing equipment and expertise for data collection. Why it matters: This partnership highlights KAUST's commitment to environmental research and historical exploration, contributing to a deeper understanding of Saudi Arabia's natural and cultural heritage.
KAUST ·
KAUST has launched its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) titled "Entrepreneurship Adventures" on edX, starting July 4, 2021. The gamified masterclass is the first entrepreneurship course in Arabic on the edX platform. It features industry experts like Amin Al-Nasser (Saudi Aramco) and Lubna Olayan (Saudi British Bank). Why it matters: The course aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, addressing the increasing demand for entrepreneurship education and supporting the Kingdom's startup ecosystem.
KAUST ·
KAUST startup UnitX, founded by KAUST alumni Kiran Narayanan and Professor Ravi Samtaney, offers on-demand supercomputing services via a cloud-like platform. UnitX aims to democratize access to supercomputing for industries like finance, government, and manufacturing, enabling data-driven decisions and faster product design. The global market for supercomputing as a service is estimated at $224 billion with 25% year-on-year growth. Why it matters: This initiative could significantly boost AI and simulation capabilities for regional enterprises by providing access to advanced computing resources without the prohibitive costs of owning and operating supercomputers.
KAUST ·
UnitX, a KAUST spin-out startup focusing on cloud-based supercomputing, has secured $2 million in co-investment from the KAUST Innovation Fund and Saudi Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures Fund. UnitX aims to democratize supercomputing by partnering with institutions to make spare supercomputing capacity available via the cloud. The funding will support UnitX in helping enterprises leverage high-performance data analytics and AI at scale, particularly in underserved industry verticals in Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: This investment highlights the growing focus on AI infrastructure and supercomputing accessibility in Saudi Arabia, enabling broader adoption of advanced technologies across various sectors.