The Machines Can Think Summit in Riyadh explored the future of AI and its impact on sectors like healthcare, finance, and energy. Discussions covered AI ethics, regulation, and the need for collaboration between government, academia, and industry. The summit also highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a leader in AI research and development. Why it matters: The event signals the increasing focus and investment in AI across diverse sectors in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals.
Patrick van der Smagt, Director of AI Research at Volkswagen Group, discussed the use of generative machine learning models for predicting and controlling complex stochastic systems in robotics. The talk highlighted examples in robotics and beyond and addressed the challenges of achieving quality and trust in AI systems. He also mentioned his involvement in a European industry initiative on trust in AI and his membership in the AI Council of the State of Bavaria. Why it matters: Understanding control in robotics, along with trust in AI, are key issues for further development of autonomous systems, especially in industrial applications within the GCC region.
KAUST showcased its AI initiatives at the 2022 Global AI Summit in Riyadh, highlighting its efforts to increase AI capacity and innovation in Saudi Arabia. Jurgen Schmidhuber, Director of the KAUST AI Initiative, addressed attendees on AI and deep learning, while Provost Lawrence Carin and Deputy Director Bernard Ghanem discussed AI talent development. KAUST is partnering with public and private sector institutions to embed AI in key areas such as security, energy, data analytics, and health. Why it matters: This participation reinforces KAUST's central role in advancing AI research and development within the Kingdom and aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader vision for technological leadership.