Researchers from LENS, CNR-INO, the University of Florence, UNAM, RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, and TII Abu Dhabi have observed Shapiro steps in ultracold atoms for the first time. This allows for real-time observation of quantum mechanics and could lead to advanced quantum sensors and simulation. The experiments involved creating vortex-antivortex pairs, resulting in step-like signals, and the findings were published in Science. Why it matters: This breakthrough provides a new method to observe and control quantum coherence, potentially enabling advancements in quantum technologies and simulations within the region.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have signed a collaboration agreement to deepen strategic collaboration in research, education, and talent development. The partnership includes a Research and Development Sponsorship Agreement and a Framework Fellowship Program Agreement. TII and NYUAD will collaborate on joint research projects across areas like AI, robotics, and quantum science, and TII will sponsor NYUAD students for research in priority technology domains. Why it matters: The partnership aims to bridge fundamental research with real-world applications, accelerate scientific discovery, and develop a pipeline of skilled researchers in Abu Dhabi.
This paper introduces Diffusion-BBO, a new online black-box optimization (BBO) framework that uses a conditional diffusion model as an inverse surrogate model. The framework employs an Uncertainty-aware Exploration (UaE) acquisition function to propose scores in the objective space for conditional sampling. The approach is shown theoretically to achieve a near-optimal solution and empirically outperforms existing online BBO baselines across 6 scientific discovery tasks.
KAUST's Shaheen III has been confirmed as the Middle East’s most powerful supercomputer, ranking 20th globally. Built by HPE, Shaheen III is six times faster than KAUST’s existing Shaheen II system, exceeding the processing power of 500,000 MacBook Pros. It will support mathematical model construction for scientific discovery, engineering design, and policy support, particularly in sustainability and alignment with Vision 2030. Why it matters: This positions KAUST and Saudi Arabia as leaders in high-performance computing, enabling advanced research across climate change, clean energy, and other critical fields.
KAUST announced the acquisition of a Cray XC40 supercomputer named Shaheen II, which will be 25 times more powerful than its current system. The investment aims to enhance KAUST's research capabilities and support collaborations with in-Kingdom organizations like Saudi Aramco and SABIC. Shaheen II will be used for simulations, climate modeling, and big data applications. Why it matters: This upgrade significantly boosts Saudi Arabia's high-performance computing infrastructure, enabling advanced research and development across various sectors and solidifying KAUST's position as a leading research institution.
MBZUAI and MIT Schwarzman College of Computing have launched a collaborative research program to advance AI across scientific discovery, human thriving, and planetary health. The program will involve faculty, students, and research staff from both institutions, with projects jointly led by principal investigators from each. The collaboration aims to strengthen AI foundations and accelerate its application to pressing societal challenges, aligning with both MIT's goals and the UAE's mission to become a global AI innovation hub. Why it matters: This partnership between a leading UAE AI university and a top US institution will foster impactful AI research and development, contributing to both regional and global advancements in the field.
A Science Robotics article co-authored by MBZUAI explores the use of AI and robotics to accelerate scientific discovery in chemistry, biology, and materials science. The paper envisions closed-loop labs with AI-designed experiments, robotic execution, and machine learning analysis, potentially cutting discovery timelines. It proposes a framework emphasizing human-machine partnership, modular systems, and AI-driven planning while addressing challenges like data standardization. Why it matters: This research highlights the potential of AI and robotics to transform scientific research in the GCC region and beyond, enabling faster discoveries and democratizing access to advanced lab capabilities.
KAUST and Thermo Fisher Scientific launched an Electron Microscopy Center of Excellence on May 9. The Center expands the existing partnership between KAUST and Thermo Fisher, focusing on instrument performance and R&D collaboration. It features the FEI Titan Themis Z scanning transmission electron microscope, the first installation globally. Why it matters: The center will provide advanced materials science research capabilities to KAUST researchers, industry partners, and Saudi Arabia, enhancing scientific discovery and technological advancement in the region.