UAE AI Jobs ·
Meta has hired another AI engineer from Apple, despite an announced hiring freeze and restructuring within Meta's AI division. This continues a trend of AI talent moving between major tech companies. Why it matters: Competition for AI talent remains fierce, even amidst broader tech industry cost-cutting.
arXiv ·
This paper proposes a machine learning method for early detection and classification of date fruit diseases, which are economically important to countries like Saudi Arabia. The method uses a hybrid feature extraction approach combining L*a*b color features, statistical features, and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) texture features. Experiments using a dataset of 871 images achieved the highest average accuracy using Random Forest (RF), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Naïve Bayes (NB), and Fuzzy Decision Trees (FDT) classifiers.
KAUST ·
KAUST is developing a robotic system for automated date palm harvesting, combining robotics and AI. The system uses robotic arms with visual sensors to identify and harvest dates, flowers, and tree structures. Field trials are scheduled for the 2025 harvest season, with full operational capability expected within three years. Why it matters: This innovation could transform Saudi Arabia's date farming industry, increasing yields, reducing labor risks, and positioning the country as a leader in agricultural technology.
arXiv ·
Researchers in Saudi Arabia have developed a deep learning framework for automated counting and geolocation of palm trees using aerial images. The system uses a Faster R-CNN model trained on a dataset of 10,000 palm tree instances collected in the Kharj region using DJI drones. Geolocation accuracy of 2.8m was achieved using geotagged metadata and photogrammetry techniques.
Gulf News ·
UAE-based Red Rock Technology is investing $10 million to develop an AI system aimed at enhancing global food security. The 'Brain' AI will analyze data from various sources, including satellites, sensors, and market data, to provide insights into crop yields, weather patterns, and supply chain logistics. The system aims to optimize agricultural practices and resource allocation. Why it matters: The investment highlights the UAE's growing interest in leveraging AI to address critical global challenges and strengthen its position in the agritech sector.