The UAE's National Program for Artificial Intelligence (NEP-AI) has announced the shortlisting of 135 finalists for an unspecified initiative. These finalists represent talent drawn from all seven emirates, highlighting the program's nationwide reach. The shortlisting signifies progress in a national effort to foster AI capabilities and human capital within the UAE. Why it matters: This initiative is a concrete step towards strengthening the UAE's domestic AI ecosystem and realizing its strategic ambition to become a leading global hub for artificial intelligence.
KAUST researchers have been selected as finalists for two ACM Gordon Bell Prizes for high-performance computing. One project used NVIDIA GPUs to enhance genetic studies from the UK Biobank, achieving 133x speedup over existing software. The other developed an exascale climate emulator with higher spatial-temporal resolution than current models, demonstrated on supercomputers like Shaheen III. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's strength in high-performance computing research and its contributions to both genetic analysis and climate modeling.
The UAE's National Programme for Artificial Intelligence (NEP-AI) has shortlisted 135 finalists from all seven emirates to advance to the next phase of the program. This initiative aims to cultivate national AI talent and enhance local capabilities across various artificial intelligence applications. The program focuses on engaging individuals in AI development and innovation throughout the Emirates. Why it matters: This signifies a strategic commitment by the UAE government to build a robust domestic AI ecosystem and solidify its position as a leading hub for AI development in the Middle East.
The UAE's National Program for Artificial Intelligence (NEP-AI) has announced that 135 finalists have been shortlisted for its latest initiative. These finalists represent talent drawn from all seven emirates, highlighting a nationwide participation in the program. This shortlisting is a key step towards developing local AI capabilities and fostering innovation across the country. Why it matters: This initiative is crucial for building a robust domestic AI ecosystem and positioning the UAE as a leader in AI talent development in the region.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) concluded the final round of its National Mathematics Competition (KMC), organized by KAUST Academy in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The competition engaged over 7,640 students from 13 educational regions across Saudi Arabia, with 241 finalists in Grades 8 to 11 competing in advanced scientific assessments. Students were honored with gold, silver, and bronze medals for their performance in algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and number theory. Why it matters: This national initiative aims to discover and nurture mathematical talent among Saudi youth, fostering advanced academic pathways and strengthening the Kingdom's future STEM capabilities for fields like AI.
KAUST, in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin and the U.S. Consulate General Jeddah, completed a bootcamp for 45 Saudi-based female founders. The "Empowering Saudi Women Through Entrepreneurship" program aims to build entrepreneurial capabilities and expand access to markets. Participants engaged in branding, fundraising, and pitching sessions, with finalists receiving further training at UT-Austin. Why it matters: The initiative supports Saudi Vision 2030 by fostering female entrepreneurship and diversifying the economy, potentially leading to innovative solutions for Saudi societal challenges.
KAUST and SABB are partnering to host a virtual demo day on March 10 for the TAQADAM Startup Accelerator. The 2020 cohort of 37 startup finalists, representing diverse industries, will pitch their ventures to investors and judges. The teams received 150,000 SAR in zero-equity grant funding and mentorship. Why it matters: The TAQADAM program is an important part of the Saudi entrepreneurship ecosystem, fostering early-stage entrepreneurs and contributing to the development of high-potential startups in the Kingdom.
KAUST is partnering with the MiSK Global Forum (MGF) to support the 2020 Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC), hosting a bootcamp for finalists. Four of the six Saudi startups among the top 100 in the EWC global finals are from KAUST. The EWC is the world's largest entrepreneurship competition, attracting 175,000 applicants from 200 countries. Why it matters: This partnership provides KAUST-nurtured startups with significant global exposure and resources, strengthening the Saudi entrepreneurship ecosystem.