MBZUAI graduate Daniel Gebre from Eritrea has developed iShrink, a compression pipeline that reduces the size of LLMs to run offline on mobile phones and edge devices. Gebre's master's thesis focused on enabling access to cutting-edge AI without requiring internet access, motivated by his experience in under-resourced regions. His journey to MBZUAI began with a Merit Scholarship awarded by the UAE Ministry of Education, leading him to pursue a Master of Science in Machine Learning. Why it matters: This research has the potential to democratize access to AI in areas with limited internet connectivity, particularly in regions like Gebre's homeland, Eritrea.
Dr. Mohamed Ferrag, a Lead Researcher at AIDRC, received the "Algeria Scopus Award" from Algeria's Ministry of Education and Higher Research for his contributions to computer science. Dr. Ferrag is an IEEE Senior Member and has authored many scientific papers and books. He was also ranked among the World's Top 2% Scientists from Stanford University in 2020-2022. Why it matters: This award recognizes and encourages scientific research and talent within the Algerian AI and computer science community.
Red Sea Farms, a KAUST agriculture technology spinout, placed third at the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) and won $150,000. The startup specializes in saltwater greenhouse technology to reduce the dependence on fresh water for irrigation. Red Sea Farms recently received $1.9 million USD in seed funding from KAUST's Innovation Fund and Research Products Development Company to build a pilot greenhouse. Why it matters: This award and funding will enable Red Sea Farms to scale their production of saltwater tomatoes and address food system sustainability in water-scarce regions.
KAUST researchers discovered a five-hectare bio-sedimentary formation of living stromatolites off Sheybarah Island in the Red Sea. These structures are microbial carbonates similar to fossils of early life and are only the second group found in normal marine settings. The stromatolites host a diverse microbial community, including reticulated filaments previously only found in caves. Why it matters: The discovery provides insights into early life on Earth and has implications for understanding potential life formation on Mars, while also creating a unique educational opportunity for tourism in Saudi Arabia.
A delegation of Ethiopian government officials, led by State Minister for Innovation and Technology Dr. Ahmedin Mohammed, visited MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi. The delegation included representatives from Ethiopia's Technology and Innovation Institute and Artificial Intelligence Institute. Discussions focused on potential research collaborations and partnerships in AI. Why it matters: This meeting indicates growing interest from African nations in partnering with leading AI institutions in the GCC to advance their own AI capabilities.
KAUST researchers analyzed 17 years of GPS data from 168 stations across the Arabian plate. They found the plate to be remarkably stable despite pressure from continental collision and plate breakup. The plate moves as a single block, and its motion relative to neighboring plates has likely remained unchanged for 13 million years. Why it matters: The study provides crucial insights into earthquake hazards and tectonic activity in the Arabian Peninsula, improving risk assessment and infrastructure planning.