Francisco Rodríguez-Henríquez, Technical Director at TII's Cryptography Research Center, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR). He is the first cryptographer from the Middle East to join the IACR board. His three-year tenure aims to foster cryptography development in the Middle East through conferences and seminars, and promote openly accessible cryptographic software and hardware. Why it matters: This appointment signals growing recognition of Middle Eastern expertise in cryptography and enhances the region's role in shaping global cryptographic research and development.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has launched the "TII McEliece Challenges," the UAE's first cryptography challenges focused on evaluating the McEliece cryptosystem's hardness. The challenges, led by TII’s Cryptography Research Center (CRC), will present cryptanalysis problems across three tracks: Theoretical Key Recovery Algorithms, Practical Key Recovery, and Message Recovery. Participants can compete for a share of a US$75,000 prize pool by identifying vulnerabilities in the McEliece system. Why it matters: This initiative aims to enhance online security, foster local talent in cryptography, and strengthen the UAE's position in post-quantum encryption research.
The Technology Innovation Institute's (TII) Cryptography Research Center (CRC) has launched CLAASP, a cryptographic library for the automated analysis of symmetric primitives. CLAASP, built on SageMath and Python3, automates the design analysis of block ciphers, cryptographic permutations, hash functions, and stream ciphers. Released as an open-source tool with a GPLv3 license, CLAASP aims to ensure design sovereignty for organizations creating symmetric ciphers. Why it matters: This tool provides an important resource for the region to strengthen its cryptographic capabilities and contribute to global efforts in safeguarding digital infrastructure against evolving threats, including quantum computing.
Four researchers from TII's AI and Digital Science Research Center (AIDRC) and Autonomous Robotics Research Center (ARRC) have been named among the world's top 2% of scientists by Elsevier BV and Stanford University. Prof. Mérouane Debbah, Dr. Daniel Benevides da Costa, Prof. Dr. George C. Alexandroupoulos, and Prof. Enrico Natalizio were recognized based on career-long achievements and data for 2021. The list considers citations, h-index, and other metrics to identify leading scientists across various fields. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the UAE's growing prominence in AI research and the caliber of talent attracted to institutions like TII, reinforcing its position as a hub for technological innovation.
Dr. Nesma Aboulkhair, Additive Manufacturing Lead Researcher at TII, has been ranked among Stanford's top 2% of scientists for single-year citations for the second consecutive year. Dr. Aboulkhair joined TII in April 2021 and also holds a visiting academic position at the University of Nottingham in the UK. Her research focuses on metal additive manufacturing processes, including powder-based and droplet-on-demand methods, and she has secured over GBP2 million in funding. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the growing expertise in advanced manufacturing within UAE research institutions and TII's ability to attract and foster high-impact researchers in critical fields.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) congratulated Prof. Merouane Debbah, Chief Researcher of AI & Telecoms Systems, for being included in Clarivate’s 2021 Highly Cited Researchers List. This list recognizes Prof. Debbah as being in the top 1% of researchers worldwide. TII expressed pride in this global recognition of Prof. Debbah's work. Why it matters: This highlights the UAE's growing prominence in attracting and supporting top AI researchers, enhancing its reputation as an innovation hub.
This article summarizes presentations from an internal Quantum Research Center (QRC) workshop at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). Topics covered included superconducting quantum computers, quantum coherent networks, quantum simulation, and quantum machine learning. Several presentations also discussed experimental quantum technologies. Why it matters: The workshop highlights TII's ongoing research activities in quantum computing and related technologies, signaling its commitment to advancing the field in the UAE.
Dr. Maxim Panov from TII Abu Dhabi will give a talk on uncertainty estimation in neural networks, covering model calibration, ensemble methods, and Bayesian approaches. The talk will focus on efficient single-network methods for quantifying prediction confidence, without requiring ensembles or major training changes. Panov's background includes experience at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology and DATADVANCE Company. Why it matters: Improving uncertainty estimation is crucial for deploying reliable AI systems in critical applications across the GCC region.
MBZUAI Adjunct Professor Mérouane Debbah was named a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate, placing him in the top 1% of researchers globally. Debbah, who joined MBZUAI's machine learning department in 2021, also serves as chief researcher at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi. His research focuses on multi-agent reinforcement learning, distributed AI, and applying AI to improve telecommunications, including reducing dead spots and improving energy efficiency. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the UAE's growing prominence in AI research, particularly in leveraging AI for advancements in telecommunications infrastructure and multi-agent systems.