The National ·
The New Lines Institute published a report analyzing the risks associated with advanced AI systems. It examines potential harms like disinformation, bias, and autonomous weapons. Why it matters: The report highlights the need for proactive safety measures and ethical guidelines in AI development to mitigate negative impacts in the Middle East and globally.
MBZUAI ·
Malaria No More, the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, and the Reaching the Last Mile program launched the Institute for Malaria and Climate Solutions (IMACS) to combat malaria amidst climate change. Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) joined as a technical partner, providing research support leveraging AI and data science. The initiative aims to develop and implement AI-driven strategies to address the impact of climate change on malaria transmission. Why it matters: This partnership highlights the UAE's commitment to using AI for global health challenges, particularly in combating climate-sensitive diseases like malaria.
MBZUAI ·
MBZUAI has launched The Academy, a global platform for AI knowledge exchange, along with the world’s first AI x Arts Fellowship. The inaugural cohort of eight fellows includes artists and innovators like Refik Anadol and Amrita Sethi, who will participate in residency programs in Abu Dhabi in 2026. The Academy also encompasses the MBZUAI Executive Program (MEP), which empowers UAE leaders to leverage AI. Why it matters: This initiative signals MBZUAI's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between AI and the arts, positioning Abu Dhabi as a hub for innovative AI applications in culture and heritage.
MBZUAI ·
MBZUAI Professor Preslav Nakov has developed FRAPPE, an interactive website that analyzes news articles to identify persuasion techniques. FRAPPE helps users understand framing, persuasion, and propaganda at an aggregate level, across different news outlets and countries. Presented at EACL, FRAPPE uses 23 specific techniques categorized into six broader buckets, such as 'attack on reputation' and 'manipulative wording'. Why it matters: The tool addresses the increasing difficulty in discerning factual information from disinformation, providing a means to identify biases in news media from different countries.
MBZUAI ·
Google.org is providing $1 million to MBZUAI to fund a research initiative led by Professor Thamar Solorio focused on addressing the “data divide” in AI for underrepresented languages, especially those in the MENA region. The project aims to create resource-lean AI models tailored to the sociocultural and linguistic realities of MENA, requiring less data and computational power. This initiative will also support the training of postdoctoral and early-career researchers at MBZUAI. Why it matters: The funding will help create AI technologies grounded in the linguistic nuances of the MENA region, rather than adapting Western models, while also democratizing AI development by lowering resource requirements.
TII ·
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) describes itself as a leading global research center. TII's teams work to deliver discovery science and transformative technologies. The announcement appeared on the TII's research blog, ResearchHub. Why it matters: This blog provides a channel to monitor TII's contributions to AI research and development in the UAE.
TII ·
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi has appointed Dr. Chaouki Kasmi as its first Chief Innovation Officer. Dr. Kasmi will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of TII’s research and innovation strategies. He has been with TII for four years and has co-authored over 200 scientific papers. Why it matters: This appointment signals TII's continued focus on translating research into practical applications, potentially fostering further technological advancements in the UAE.