Omantel, an Omani telecommunications company, has partnered with Shaffra to introduce artificial intelligence and Metaverse solutions within Oman. This collaboration aims to bring advanced technological capabilities and foster digital innovation in the Omani market. The partnership is focused on deploying new AI-driven and immersive technologies across the country. Why it matters: This strategic alliance underscores Omantel's commitment to leveraging emerging technologies and could significantly contribute to Oman's digital transformation agenda.
Afrah Alothman, a Ph.D. student in marine science at KAUST, is conducting research in the Red Sea, studying the impact of various variables on the marine environment. She collects seawater samples from different depths to measure temperature, nutrients, and salinity, and quantifies carbon uptake by planktonic microorganisms. Her supervisor, Susana Agusti, praised her efforts during a challenging oceanographic cruise. Why it matters: This research contributes to Saudi Vision 2030 by developing local expertise in marine science and understanding the Red Sea ecosystem.
KAUST Professor Jeff Shamma has been elected as a fellow of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC). IFAC is a multinational federation dedicated to the advancement of control engineering. Shamma is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at KAUST. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's contributions to the field of control engineering and the university's growing international reputation.
Safran.AI and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) intend to form a strategic alliance to develop a next-generation Agentic AI geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) platform. The platform will combine Safran.AI’s GEOINT expertise with TII’s expertise in Agentic AI and orchestration platforms, enabling autonomous reasoning and transforming spaceborne imagery into decision-grade intelligence. The collaboration will focus on three major technological streams. Why it matters: This partnership signifies a major advancement in sovereign geospatial intelligence capabilities within the UAE, moving from traditional analysis to autonomous understanding for enhanced national security and decision-making.
KAUST Associate Professor Raquel Peixoto has been named the 2024 National Champion for Saudi Arabia by the Frontiers Planet Prize. Peixoto won the prize for her research on using probiotics to enhance coral reef resilience against climate change. Her work has led to the establishment of the RSRC Coral Probiotics Village in the Red Sea and collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies. Why it matters: This award highlights the growing recognition of Saudi Arabia's contributions to marine conservation and innovative approaches to addressing climate change impacts on vital ecosystems.