MBZUAI faculty, researchers, and students presented eight academic papers at the 25th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI 2022) in Singapore. Seven of the accepted papers feature a master’s or doctoral student as first author. The papers are the outcome of two MBZUAI faculty led labs – BioMedical Image Analysis (BioMedIA) lab and SPriNT-AI. Why it matters: This highlights MBZUAI's growing prominence in medical image analysis and AI, showcasing the university's commitment to producing high-quality research and fostering young talent in the field.
Dr. Youcheng Sun from the University of Manchester presented on ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems using formal verification, software testing, and explainable AI. He discussed applying these techniques to challenges like copyright protection for AI models. Dr. Sun's research has been funded by organizations including Google, Ethereum Foundation, and the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Why it matters: As AI adoption grows in the GCC, ensuring the safety, dependability, and trustworthiness of these systems is crucial for public trust and responsible innovation.
KAUST Professor Xin Gao formed part of the Rapid Research Response Team (R3T) to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Gao's team developed and deployed an AI system to assist clinicians in improving the accuracy of COVID-19 diagnoses. The lecture outlines how the AI system was built and implemented. Why it matters: This showcases how GCC academic institutions are leveraging AI to address pressing healthcare challenges.
MBZUAI students and researchers presented findings at the Graduate Student Research Conference (GSRC) in Dubai, led by Assistant Professor Mohammad Yaqub. Topics included deep learning, computer learning, disease prediction, and AI in healthcare, with students from the BioMedIA lab presenting their work. Presentations covered areas like fetal ultrasound quality assessment, head and neck cancer diagnosis, and disease risk prediction using generative pre-trained transformers. Why it matters: This showcases MBZUAI's focus on applying AI to solve real-world healthcare problems and highlights the contributions of its students in advancing medical AI research.
MBZUAI concluded its inaugural Global AI Leadership Program (GAILP) in Abu Dhabi, hosting 46 participants from UAE's public and private sectors. The program, delivered by The Academy, featured insights from faculty at MBZUAI, MIT Sloan, NYU, and industry experts from ADNOC and Palantir. UAE Minister Omar bin Sultan Al Olama presented at the event, emphasizing the importance of AI understanding for decision-makers. Why it matters: The program aims to equip UAE leaders with the knowledge to drive AI adoption and transformation across sectors, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a global AI leader.
The UAE has begun mapping air corridors and developing regulations for air taxis and cargo drones, aiming to transform urban transportation. The GCAA and ATRC entities (TII and ASPIRE) are collaborating to define aerial corridors within 20 months. These routes will connect key airports and locations, integrating piloted and autonomous vehicles. Why it matters: The initiative positions the UAE as a leader in advanced air mobility, potentially easing congestion and setting a global benchmark for future urban mobility.
Muhammed Sameed, a 2012 KAUST alumnus, co-authored a paper published in Nature about antimatter. Sameed currently works at CERN in Switzerland. The research was featured on the KAUST website. Why it matters: The publication highlights KAUST's role in fostering scientific talent who contribute to high-impact research globally, even if the specific research is not focused on the GCC region.