Mark Crowell was appointed as the Vice President of Innovation and Economic Development at KAUST, starting July 1, 2015. He will manage KAUST's IP, support new businesses, and foster collaborations with industry partners. Crowell brings over 25 years of experience in academic innovation and business development, including launching over 135 startups. Why it matters: This appointment aims to enhance KAUST's role as a catalyst for innovation and economic development in Saudi Arabia.
KAUST celebrated World Intellectual Property Day. Mark Crowell spoke at a career fair held on the KAUST campus. The event highlighted intellectual property.
Mark Crowell, KAUST's VP of Innovation and Economic Development, highlights the university's culture of innovation and its role in driving economic development. KAUST's strategically connected programs, like the Research & Technology Park and Innovation Fund, connect research to the world. Key industry partners such as SABIC and Saudi Aramco leverage KAUST's resources. Why it matters: KAUST's focus on innovation and partnerships signals its commitment to diversifying Saudi Arabia's economy and becoming a global hub for technology and entrepreneurship.
Crowell & Moring published an article discussing the importance of AI and data security in the Middle East. The article highlights the increasing investments in AI across various sectors in the region. It emphasizes the need for robust data security measures to protect sensitive information and ensure responsible AI deployment. Why it matters: As Middle Eastern countries accelerate their AI initiatives, this analysis underscores the importance of building secure and trustworthy AI ecosystems.
Conor McMenamin from Universitat Pompeu Fabra presented a seminar on State Machine Replication (SMR) without honest participants. The talk covered the limitations of current SMR protocols and introduced the ByRa model, a framework for player characterization free of honest participants. He then described FAIRSICAL, a sandbox SMR protocol, and discussed how the ideas could be extended to real-world protocols, with a focus on blockchains and cryptocurrencies. Why it matters: This research on SMR protocols and their incentive compatibility could lead to more robust and secure blockchain technologies in the region.
Qirong Ho, co-founder and CTO of Petuum Inc., will be contributing to the "ML Systems for Many" initiative. Petuum is recognized for creating standardized building blocks for AI assembly. Ho also holds a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University and is part of the CASL open-source consortium. Why it matters: Showcases the ongoing efforts to democratize AI development and deployment, making it more accessible and sustainable, although the specific initiative is not further detailed.
Doug Greenig, Group CEO and CIO of Florin Court Capital based in London and Abu Dhabi, discussed macro trends in 2024 and beyond. Florin Court's Programme has delivered strong returns since 2017, capturing macro themes through alternative markets. Prior to founding Florin Court, Doug held leadership roles at Man/AHL, Fortress Investment Group, and Goldman Sachs. Why it matters: The presence of a leading systematic asset manager like Florin Court in Abu Dhabi signals the growing importance of the UAE as a hub for sophisticated financial firms leveraging AI and quantitative strategies.
KAUST Professor of Material Science and Engineering, Husam Alshareef, has been named a Fellow of the American Physical Society. Alshareef leads the Functional Nanomaterials & Devices research group at KAUST. The group focuses on developing semiconductor nanomaterials for diverse applications. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's contribution to advanced materials science and engineering and elevates the university's reputation in the international scientific community.