KAUST ·
A joint delegation of KAUST and Dow officials participated in a "topping out" ceremony at the Middle East Innovation Center on the KAUST campus. The ceremony marks a milestone in the construction of the center's superstructure. Why it matters: The Innovation Center signifies continued investment in research and development infrastructure at KAUST.
KAUST ·
The Dow Innovation Center at KAUST was inaugurated on May 15, 2018, to support Dow's research efforts in Saudi Arabia. The 13,500 m² center will house R&D facilities and the Dow Digital Marketplace Center. It will focus on oil and gas technology, sustainable coating, and industrial chemicals with state-of-the-art labs and offices. Why it matters: This center signifies a commitment to innovation and talent development in Saudi Arabia, fostering a highly skilled workforce and supporting the Kingdom's growth.
TII ·
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) received the 'Emerging Tech' award at the Fast Company Middle East's Most Innovative Companies 2022. TII was recognized for "spearheading innovation" and building "the world’s largest Arabic natural language processing model." TII's CEO, Dr. Ray O. Johnson, emphasized the importance of innovation for organizational sustainability and building a better future. Why it matters: The award highlights the UAE's growing prominence as a hub for technology innovation and TII's role in advancing the country's knowledge economy.
KAUST ·
KAUST is working to extend its research excellence to innovation and impact, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to grow SME contributions. A KAUST Innovation Committee, led by Andrew Liveris, is collaborating with entities like TAQNIA and Monshaat to convert policy into tangible actions. The goal is to accelerate startups and deep technology development within the Kingdom, with KAUST startups playing a leading role. Why it matters: The initiative signifies a concerted effort to diversify the Saudi economy and foster a thriving startup ecosystem, leveraging KAUST's research capabilities.
MBZUAI ·
ElevenLabs, a voice AI research and product company, presented at MBZUAI's Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) on the adoption of audio AI in the Middle East. Hussein Makki, general manager for the Middle East at ElevenLabs, highlighted the potential of voice-native AI across sectors like telecommunications, banking, and education. ElevenLabs focuses on making content accessible and engaging across languages and voices through its text-to-speech models. Why it matters: This signals growing interest and investment in voice AI applications within the region, potentially transforming customer service and content accessibility in Arabic.
TII ·
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has launched a state-of-the-art research facility within its Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) in Abu Dhabi's Tawazun Industrial Park. The facility includes seven workshops and five specialized laboratories focusing on areas like High-Power ElectroMagnetics (HPEM), acoustics, and laser development. It can accommodate 150 researchers and provides research and testing services to local industries, including Radio Frequency testing and acoustic experiments. Why it matters: This new facility enhances the UAE's research infrastructure and supports the development of advanced technologies for regional industries in the safety and security sector.
TII ·
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has launched Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) laboratories in Abu Dhabi, the first such facility in the Arab world. The facility at TII's Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) includes three labs: an EMC semi-anechoic chamber, a pulsed power laboratory, and a low-noise emanation laboratory. These labs will enable evaluation of technologies against electromagnetic interference and support in-country R&D and local industry in line with UAE's 'Operation 300bn'. Why it matters: This advanced infrastructure signals the UAE's commitment to fostering innovation in electronics and related sectors, reducing reliance on foreign testing and certification.
TII ·
Technology Innovation Institute's (TII) Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) in Abu Dhabi has launched the GCC region's first Laser-Matter Interaction (LMI) Laboratory. The LMI Lab, part of DERC's Laser, Photonics, and Optoelectronics Division, will investigate laser interactions with matter. This lab will enable local research and development in laser materials processing, plasma physics, and nanotechnology, reducing reliance on foreign outsourcing. Why it matters: This regional first enhances the UAE's position in advanced technology research and expands the application of lasers across diverse industries in the GCC.