Professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini of KAUST has been elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering for his contributions to wireless communication systems. Alouini is the first faculty member elected to the NAE while serving at KAUST, and his work focuses on non-terrestrial networks. He aims to extend connectivity to underserved regions and support applications like emergency response and environmental monitoring. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's ability to attract world-leading scholars and contributes to Saudi Vision 2030 by translating research into real-world impact.
Two professors from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Ahmed Eltawil and Michael Berumen, have been elected 2025 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Professor Eltawil was recognized for his contributions to wireless communications and low-power system design, specifically for advancing AI-native wireless architectures. Professor Berumen was honored for his distinguished work in marine science and ecology, focusing on coral reef ecosystems. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's global impact in scientific research and its contributions to critical areas like intelligent wireless infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi has joined global partners to launch the OpenSTX Foundation, hosted by the Linux Foundation. This initiative aims to establish an open industry standard for Synchronous Transmissions (STX), a wireless protocol designed for reliable, secure, and energy-efficient industrial communications. The foundation includes members from Graz University of Technology, Imperial College London, and others. Why it matters: Standardizing STX could accelerate the development of industrial IoT and smart infrastructure projects in the Middle East and Africa, aligning with Abu Dhabi's goals to be a technology hub.
AIDRC researchers Dr. Lina Bariah and Prof. Mérouane Debbah co-authored a paper on the interplay of AI and Digital Twin Technology (DTT) for future wireless networks. The paper explores how AI can enhance the reliability and efficiency of DTT, unifying model-driven and data-driven approaches for 6G networks. The research aligns with the UAE National Strategy for AI 2031, aiming to advance the UAE's position in AI and Metaverse technologies. Why it matters: This work contributes to the development of AI-powered Metaverse applications and the advancement of wireless communication technologies in the UAE.
Researchers from the AI and Digital Science Research Center (AIDRC) won the Best Paper Award at the 2022 IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM) for their paper "RSMA for Dual-Polarized Massive MIMO Networks: A SIC-Free Approach". The paper introduces a dual-polarized RSMA technique for downlink massive MIMO networks, using the polarization domain. Their approach relaxes the computational burden of successive interference cancellation and delivers high data rates. Why it matters: This award recognizes impactful research from the UAE on optimizing wireless communication using AI, which can contribute to advancements in 5G and beyond.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi hosted the 48th meeting of the Wireless World Research Forum (WWRF) from November 7-9. The forum convened global experts to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in 5G deployment and beyond, with a focus on AI's role in wireless and telecommunications innovations. TII's participation as host underscores its commitment to advancing the wireless communications sector. Why it matters: This event strengthens the UAE's position as a hub for telecommunications research and provides a platform for shaping the future of wireless technology in the region and globally.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi is hosting the inaugural Abu Dhabi 6G Summit 2022. The summit gathers experts from research, industry, and standardization bodies to discuss the roadmap for 6G implementation and advancements in the UAE and worldwide. Topics include sustainable 6G systems, AI-empowered communications, and intelligent transportation systems. Why it matters: The summit highlights the UAE's investment and ambition to become a leader in advanced technology, particularly in wireless communications and AI.
Prof. George Alexandropoulos from the AI and Digital Science Research Center (AIDRC) at TII presented a keynote at the RIS Technical Alliance (RISTA) forum. The presentation focused on hybrid reconfigurable intelligent surfaces for wireless communication and sensing applications. He discussed the role of RIS technology in enabling smart wireless environments within 5G and 6G networks. Why it matters: This highlights the UAE's contribution to cutting-edge research in next-generation wireless communication technologies and its potential impact on future network architectures.