SFDA and KAUST jointly held a workshop to discuss AI and biotechnology in medical devices. The workshop included a leadership panel with the CEO of SFDA and the President of KAUST. SFDA emphasized the Kingdom's adoption of the National Biotechnology Strategy and its focus on improving the quality of life. Why it matters: The collaboration signals Saudi Arabia's intent to be a leader in biotechnology, leveraging AI to improve healthcare and attract investment.
KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Research Center (WDRC) is dedicated to reducing the energy footprint of desalination, with Saudi Arabia being the largest producer of desalinated water globally. Biofouling, caused by organisms like the bay barnacle, increases the energy required for desalination and affects various sectors, including medical devices and marine vessels. Researchers at WDRC, including Professor Matthew McCabe and Director Johannes Vrouwenvelder, are exploring novel desalination technologies and anti-fouling agents to combat biofouling. Why it matters: Addressing biofouling is crucial for reducing the economic and ecological costs of desalination in water-scarce regions like Saudi Arabia and improving efficiency across multiple industries.
KAUST Ph.D. students Abdullah S. Almansouri and Hanan Mohammed won awards at the 21st International Conference on Magnetism (ICM 2018). Almansouri won the Best Poster Award for his work on magnetic tracking of cardiac catheters using flexible magnetic tunnel junction sensors. Mohammed won the People's Choice Award in the Magnetism as Art Showcase for her artwork entitled 'Autumn in my Nanoworld.' Why it matters: Recognition at ICM highlights KAUST's research contributions in magnetism and microsystems, particularly in developing innovative medical devices.
KAUST Ph.D. candidate Amal Mohammed Alamri received a grant from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for her work on "Fully Inkjet Printing Photodetectors MSM - 2D Materials & Perovskite Based Inks." The grant supports her Ph.D. research at KAUST, focusing on photodetectors using 2-D materials and perovskite-based inks for applications in light communications and biomedical devices. Alamri aims to develop printed image detectors with flexible, thin, and transparent features through improved ink formulas. Why it matters: KACST's strategic investment in graduate students like Alamri helps advance Saudi Arabia's capabilities in science and technology, particularly in emerging areas like printed electronics and advanced materials.
MBZUAI alumnus Ahmed Sharshar is developing smaller AI models to make the technology more accessible, especially in resource-constrained environments like Egypt. His master's thesis involved creating an app that assesses lung health using mobile phone video analysis, eliminating the need for traditional medical devices. Sharshar is pursuing his Ph.D. at MBZUAI, focusing on lightweight and energy-efficient models for various applications. Why it matters: Democratizing AI through smaller, efficient models can enable broader applications and innovation across diverse sectors in the Middle East and beyond.
Professor Hava Siegelmann, a computer science expert, is researching lifelong learning AI, drawing inspiration from the brain's abstraction and generalization capabilities. The research aims to enable intelligent systems in satellites, robots, and medical devices to adapt and improve their expertise in real-time, even with limited communication and power. The goal is to develop AI systems applicable for far edge computing that can learn in runtime and handle unanticipated situations. Why it matters: This research could lead to more resilient and adaptable AI systems for critical applications in remote and resource-constrained environments, with potential benefits for various sectors in the Middle East.