MBZUAI and UC Berkeley held a joint workshop on machine learning, featuring discussions on online learning, fair allocation in dynamic mechanism design, and causal inference. Michael I. Jordan, Laureate Professor and Honorary Program Director at MBZUAI, highlighted the institute's rapid growth during his visit. Researchers explored methods for enhancing the properties of large, complex models, such as calibration, fairness, and robustness. Why it matters: Such collaborations advance AI research and foster knowledge exchange between leading global experts and regional institutions like MBZUAI.
KAUST alumnus Fahad Hossain (M.S. 2010, Ph.D. 2014) discusses his journey from KAUST to UC Berkeley, where he co-founded Serinus Labs Inc., a manufacturer of integrated silicon gas sensors. Serinus Labs develops gas-sensing solutions for air-quality monitoring, safety, and preventive healthcare. NASA became Serinus' first customer in 2018, contracting them to develop multi-gas sensors for the next generation of spacesuits. Why it matters: This highlights the impact of KAUST graduates in developing advanced sensor technologies and securing partnerships with leading organizations like NASA.
KAUST held its fifth annual KAUST Saudi Leadership Program (KSLP) in collaboration with the Haas School of Business of UC Berkeley. The 2018 KSLP edition included workshops and a six-day training course for 25 Saudi female academics in leadership and deanship positions. Participants reviewed strategic planning, team management, and effective executive leadership, and attended lectures by KAUST's senior leadership. Why it matters: Such programs contribute to developing leadership capabilities within Saudi academic institutions, fostering a stronger educational ecosystem in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
UC Berkeley professor Michael I. Jordan will lead a session on AI, Machine Learning and Economy as part of the MBZUAI Executive Program. The program is headed by MBZUAI President Eric Xing and includes 42 participants from ministerial leadership and top industry executives. The 12-week program aims to support the UAE's AI leadership mission through education, capacity building, innovation, and R&D. Why it matters: The involvement of a prominent academic figure like Jordan highlights the UAE's commitment to attracting global expertise in AI education and solidifying its position as an AI hub.
Mingyu Ding from UC Berkeley presented research on endowing robots with human-like commonsense and physical reasoning capabilities. The talk covered multimodal commonsense reasoning integrating vision, world models, and language-based task planners. It also discussed physical reasoning approaches for robots to infer dynamics and physical properties of objects. Why it matters: Enhancing robots with these capabilities can improve their ability to generalize across everyday tasks, leading to greater social benefits and impact.
MBZUAI's executive programs (MEP and MEP-A) have trained nearly 240 senior leaders from the UAE's public and private sectors to implement AI solutions. Cohort six of the MEP begins in April, while the MEP-A will commence later in the year. The programs, taught by instructors from MBZUAI, UC Berkeley, Oxford, Harvard, and MIT, cover AI fundamentals, industry applications, strategy, policymaking, and ethics. Why it matters: These programs aim to empower leaders to contribute to the UAE's growing AI ecosystem and promote ethically-rooted innovation, aligning with the UAE's national AI strategy.
Michael I. Jordan, a renowned AI researcher from UC Berkeley, has joined Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) as a laureate professor and honorary director of the Laureate Faculty Program. MBZUAI President Eric Xing highlighted Jordan's significant influence in machine learning, noting his role as a mentor. Jordan aims to guide AI researchers and advise the university as it seeks to become a global leader in AI. Why it matters: This appointment strengthens MBZUAI's position as a prominent AI research institution in the Middle East by attracting top-tier international talent and fostering a conducive environment for cutting-edge research.
The MBZUAI Executive Program's fifth module will cover the future of robotics, featuring UC Berkeley Professors Pieter Abbeel and Ken Goldberg. Abbeel will discuss deep learning in robotics, while Goldberg will share insights on robotic technologies in business. The 12-week program aims to support the UAE's AI leadership through education and innovation, with 42 high-level decision-makers participating. Why it matters: By training leaders in AI and robotics, the program can accelerate the adoption of advanced automation technologies across various sectors in the UAE and the broader region.