KAUST and the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) have signed agreements to create two new climate centers in Saudi Arabia. The centers are named The National Center for Climate Change, and the Regional Sand and Dust Storms Early Warning and Advisory Center. KAUST will assist NCM in developing web-based publishing software and climate models, in cooperation with the National Center for Atmospheric Research in the USA. Why it matters: The new centers will provide crucial tools and information for mitigating the negative effects of climate change in Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region.
The KAUST Supercomputing Core Lab (KSL) and the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) have been collaborating since 2016 to enhance weather forecasting capabilities in Saudi Arabia. KSL provides consultation, data storage, and computing time on the Shaheen II supercomputer to NCM. This collaboration has led to a significant increase in NCM's HPC facility computing capacity, from 10 to 380 TFLOPS, with ongoing work to reach 1.8 PFLOPS. Why it matters: This partnership strengthens Saudi Arabia's ability to provide accurate and timely weather forecasts, crucial for public safety, aviation, and national security, demonstrating the importance of HPC in addressing critical environmental challenges.
Malaria No More (MNM), Reaching the Last Mile (RLM), and MBZUAI have signed an agreement to expand the Forecasting Healthy Futures (FHF) initiative with a $5 million award from RLM. The initiative aims to address the impact of climate change on malaria and other climate-sensitive infectious diseases. MBZUAI will provide expertise to support the eradication of malaria. Why it matters: This partnership highlights the UAE's commitment to global health and leverages AI to combat climate-sensitive diseases, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing complex global challenges.
KAUST and Saudi Arabia's National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on February 5 to strengthen national cybersecurity. The collaboration includes developing educational programs, consulting on curricula, and sharing information on the national cybersecurity workforce. The MoU also covers joint research projects, technical meetings, and forums to present research and expertise. Why it matters: This partnership aims to enhance Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity capabilities through education, research, and knowledge exchange, aligning with national strategic goals.
KAUST and the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) have signed an MoU to collaborate on research and environmental initiatives. The collaboration aims to protect ecosystems, preserve biodiversity, and enhance community awareness, formalized at the UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh. The MoU includes joint scientific research, genetic diversity projects, databases, community awareness campaigns, volunteer programs, and ecosystem monitoring. Why it matters: The partnership demonstrates Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental sustainability and aligns with Vision 2030 and the Green Saudi Initiative.
The UAE National Experts Program (NEP) has received over 1,000 applications for its artificial intelligence track. The NEP aims to cultivate and prepare UAE national experts across various strategic sectors. The AI track focuses on developing expertise in AI to support the UAE's national AI strategy. Why it matters: This high application rate signals strong interest in AI among UAE nationals, crucial for advancing the UAE's AI ambitions and digital transformation.
Researchers from the National Center for AI in Saudi Arabia investigated the sensitivity of Large Language Model (LLM) leaderboards to minor benchmark perturbations. They found that small changes, like choice order, can shift rankings by up to 8 positions. The study recommends hybrid scoring and warns against over-reliance on simple benchmark evaluations, providing code for further research.
This article mentions KAUST in the context of the 251st American Chemical Society National Meeting. However, it contains no specific details about AI or related research activities. The content is primarily a copyright notice for King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Why it matters: This mention provides minimal information about KAUST's involvement in the event and lacks substantial AI-related content.