KAUST Professor Mootaz Elnozahy has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in recognition of his 38-year career and 58 patents. His work focuses on energy-efficient computer systems, high-performance computing, and resilience. Elnozahy's early work includes building the world's first energy-efficient computer server, which influenced commercial IBM servers. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the growing importance of sustainability in computing and underscores KAUST's contributions to innovative solutions for energy efficiency in the tech sector.
KAUST computer scientist Mohamed Elhoseiny and his VISION CAIR team developed Creative Walk Adversarial Networks (CWAN) for novel art generation. CWAN learns from existing art styles and deviates using 'random walk deviation' methods. Human evaluators preferred CWAN-generated art compared to other methods like StyleGAN2. Why it matters: The research demonstrates AI's potential as a valuable tool for artists, enabling the creation of unique and meaningful art, and explores more effective emotional language in image captioning.
MBZUAI graduate Ahmed Sharshar developed a computer vision application that assesses lung health from a video of a person breathing, estimating Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). The model achieved up to 100% accuracy using thermal video data from 60 participants. Sharshar aims to create lightweight models applicable in developing countries without high-end GPUs. Why it matters: This research showcases the potential of AI to democratize healthcare access through non-invasive, accessible diagnostic tools.
Emirates Health Services (EHS) and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) have signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation and knowledge sharing. The agreement focuses on developing human capital, promoting skills, and advancing scientific research and innovation. It includes research opportunities, sponsoring EHS employees for master’s and doctorate degrees at MBZUAI, and providing specialized AI training programs in healthcare. Why it matters: This partnership aims to enhance healthcare efficiency and digital skills in the UAE through AI, contributing to the overall well-being of the population.
MBZUAI alumnus Ahmed Sharshar is developing smaller AI models to make the technology more accessible, especially in resource-constrained environments like Egypt. His master's thesis involved creating an app that assesses lung health using mobile phone video analysis, eliminating the need for traditional medical devices. Sharshar is pursuing his Ph.D. at MBZUAI, focusing on lightweight and energy-efficient models for various applications. Why it matters: Democratizing AI through smaller, efficient models can enable broader applications and innovation across diverse sectors in the Middle East and beyond.
Enowa and KAUST held the Enowa-KAUST Energy Summit 2024, celebrating the third year of their Energy Cortex Program. The Energy Cortex Program funds applied research for clean energy solutions, focusing on renewable energy technologies led by KAUST faculty. The program is structured around Weatherlytics, GenFlex Cortex, Stor Cortex, and Grid Cortex, and has engaged KAUST professors, produced six journal papers, and provided NEOM with data. Why it matters: This partnership aims to revolutionize renewable energy in Saudi Arabia by integrating AI and advanced data analytics to optimize energy generation and distribution, supporting the Kingdom's sustainable energy goals.
Mo Li, an assistant professor of bioscience, is featured in a faculty focus article by KAUST. The article appears on the university's Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division page. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's ongoing efforts to showcase faculty expertise and research areas within the university.