TII and LightOn have partnered to build the NOOR Platform for exascale computing, aimed at developing foundation models. The collaboration will leverage LightOn's expertise in large language models, with the first output being the largest Arabic language model to date. The platform will provide high-quality data pipelines and facilitate extreme-scale distributed training and serving. Why it matters: This partnership aims to establish Abu Dhabi as a center of AI excellence and boost the UAE's ambitions in high-tech innovation and NLP research.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with LightOn, has launched NOOR, a 10 billion parameter Arabic natural language processing (NLP) model. The model was trained on a large, high-quality cross-domain Arabic dataset including web data, books, poetry, news, and technical information. It enables applications in automated summarization, chatbots, and personalized marketing. Why it matters: NOOR represents a significant advancement in Arabic NLP, potentially enabling more sophisticated AI applications tailored to the Arabic language and regional needs.
KAUST held an open day on December 3, 2015, to celebrate the International Year of Light. The event showcased technological developments in light research, especially photonics and LED-based technologies. Exhibits and demonstrations were provided by researchers from KAUST's CEMSE and PSE divisions, under the direction of Professor Boon Ooi. Why it matters: The event promoted understanding of achievements in light research and its applications in various sectors like communications, medicine, and energy.
KAUST Professor of Electrical Engineering, Boon Ooi, has been elected as a Fellow of the Optical Society of America (OSA). Ooi is a professor in the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division at KAUST. The fellowship recognizes his contributions to the field of optical engineering. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's growing prominence in optics and photonics research and boosts its reputation as a leading STEM institution in the Middle East.
KAUST Professor Boon Ooi, Nobel laureate Shuji Nakamura, and colleagues are collaborating on laser-based solid state lighting (SSL) and visible light communications (VLC). The team is using gallium nitride (GaN) to develop high-performance semiconductor laser devices, leveraging nanofabrication techniques at KAUST. They demonstrated that their laser-based VLC system is over 20 times faster than LED-based Li-Fi systems. Why it matters: This research could enable faster, more energy-efficient data transmission using visible light, with potential applications in both terrestrial and underwater communication.
KAUST Professor Boon Ooi, Nobel laureate Shuji Nakamura from UCSB, and KACST researchers are collaborating on laser-based solid-state lighting (SSL) through a 2014 tripartite agreement. Their research focuses on SSL, which has the potential to be even more energy-efficient than existing LED lighting by using semiconductor lasers. Nakamura, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014 for developing blue LEDs, spoke at KAUST about the potential of SSL to improve energy efficiency further. Why it matters: This collaboration aims to advance energy-efficient lighting technologies, leveraging Nobel-winning expertise to develop solutions that could significantly reduce global energy consumption.
KAUST Professor Boon S. Ooi has been named an IEEE Fellow for his contributions to broadband light emitters and visible light communications. Ooi's work in semiconductor photonics has led to the establishment of successful startups. He is among the first to propose energy-efficient lighting and ultra-high-speed visible light communication using semiconductor lasers. Why it matters: Recognition of KAUST faculty demonstrates the institution's growing prominence in advanced technology research and its impact on global innovation.
KAUST Ph.D. student Valerio Mazzone won the best paper award at the 9th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics (META). Mazzone's paper demonstrated the design of a new type of fully optical neural network using dielectric nano-lasers with invisible emission. The research showed the system can produce ultrafast optical pulses with controllable period and time duration in an optical chip. Why it matters: This award recognizes KAUST's contribution to innovative research in nanophotonics and optical computing, potentially leading to more efficient and compact laser technology.