The Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, Mohamed Abdelhameed Al Askar, will give a talk on AI adoption in government. The talk will cover key points related to AI utilization within government organizations. Al Askar has experience managing digital initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi Government Services Program (TAMM). Why it matters: This signals the increasing importance of AI in public sector modernization efforts in the UAE and the broader region.
A team of MBZUAI graduate students won first place at the UAE University's University Challenge for their SawabAI project, which addresses AI-generated misinformation about climate change. The winning team included Salem Bin Saqer AlMarri, Hanoona Bangalath, and Muhammad Maaz, all Computer Vision Ph.D. students. SawabAI is envisioned as a platform to evaluate the authenticity and source of information, including text, image, and video, to combat fake news. Why it matters: This win highlights the growing importance of AI in addressing misinformation and promoting sustainability in government communication within the region.
G42 has launched Digital Embassies and Greenshield, a sovereign operating model enabling nations to securely deploy AI while maintaining legal control over data, systems, and policies, regardless of infrastructure location. Digital Embassies establish government-to-government legal constructs defining jurisdiction, while Greenshield, implemented by Core42, translates sovereign policy into execution. It applies consistent sovereign controls across environments, governing identity and access, data handling, security, compliance, auditability, and continuity. Why it matters: This framework could accelerate AI adoption across the region by helping governments overcome infrastructure readiness gaps while ensuring data sovereignty.
Communications Physics journal has a focus collection on space quantum communications. The collection covers supporting technologies, new quantum protocols, inter-satellite QKD, constellations of satellites, and quantum inspired technologies and protocols for space based communication. Contributions are welcome from October 20, 2020 to April 30, 2021, and accepted papers are published on a rolling basis. Why it matters: Space-based quantum communication is a critical area for developing secure, global quantum networks, and this collection could highlight relevant research for the GCC region as it invests in advanced technologies.
MBZUAI AI Talks hosted a webinar on AI in government, featuring Dr. Mohamed Abdelhameed Al Askar of the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority. Dr. Al Askar highlighted use cases such as machine learning for cardiovascular risk calculation, student performance prediction, and traffic safety tools. The UAE aims for a 60% GDP increase by 2031 through AI, with an estimated AED 353 billion economic benefit. Why it matters: This showcases the UAE's proactive approach to integrating AI across various sectors, particularly in public services and infrastructure.