General AI research publications from MBZUAI, KAUST, TII, QCRI, and other GCC institutions, including conference papers, journal articles, and preprints.
The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) and KAUST held a workshop on September 19, 2023, to evaluate the Kingdom's space program and plan future initiatives. The SSA aims to propel Saudi Arabia's space program into the top 10 globally, focusing on six research areas. The partnership seeks to leverage KAUST's expertise to achieve Saudi Arabia's RDI vision in space exploration and set a roadmap to be available by January 2024. Why it matters: This collaboration signifies Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing its space program and fostering local expertise in space-related research and development, aligning with the Kingdom's broader technology and innovation goals.
Researchers from KAUST trained members of the Moving Windmills non-profit on green energy infrastructure. The training program included hands-on experience for installing solar photovoltaic systems for use in Malawi, such as solar water pumps and rooftop solar on school buildings. Moving Windmills will use this knowledge to coordinate energy projects across Malawi. Why it matters: This initiative highlights KAUST's commitment to supporting sustainable development in Africa by sharing technical expertise and resources.
KAUST's Visualization Core Lab (KVL) has released inshimtu, a pseudo in situ visualization system for scientists working with large datasets and supercomputer simulations. Inshimtu simplifies the implementation of in situ visualization by using existing simulation output files without requiring changes to the simulation code. It helps scientists determine if implementing a full in situ visualization into their code is worthwhile. Why it matters: This open-source tool can improve the efficiency of supercomputing research in the region by allowing researchers to assess the value of in situ visualization before fully committing to it.
KAUST recently celebrated its 5000th day since opening its doors to its first class, marking a milestone of education and research. KAUST's academic output has been prevalent from the start, with publications in notable scientific journals. KAUST dominates in national academic publications, with about 80% of the entire Saudi national contribution to Nature-indexed publications having at least one KAUST author. Why it matters: This achievement underscores KAUST's role as a leading research center in the Middle East, attracting talent and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration to address real-world problems.
KAUST is sharing its technology transfer and intellectual property expertise with the University of Jeddah (UJ) through a new agreement. This initiative, supported by the Saudi Ministry of Education as part of Vision 2030, aims to enhance UJ's technology transfer office (TTO) program. The collaboration will focus on IP management, filing strategies, and bridging the gap between innovation and implementation. Why it matters: Strengthening tech transfer capabilities within Saudi universities is critical for diversifying the Kingdom's economy and achieving Vision 2030 goals.
KAUST researchers led by Professor Pei-Ying Hong reported new insights into bacterial transformation, potentially impacting wastewater treatment policies. Professor Havard Rue's group released a new statistical package for modeling non-Gaussian datasets, compatible with commercial software. These achievements highlight KAUST's contributions to environmental science and statistical computing. Why it matters: These research outputs strengthen KAUST's reputation as a leading research institution in Saudi Arabia, with practical implications for environmental policy and advanced data analysis.
KAUST Assistant Professor Dana Alsulaiman was named a L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talent. Alsulaiman was recognized for her work developing biomarker detection technologies for early and accurate disease detection. KAUST Ph.D. student Lila Aldakheel also received an award for her research on microplastics in mangrove forests. Why it matters: The recognition highlights the rising prominence and impact of female scientists at Saudi institutions in addressing key challenges like healthcare and environmental sustainability.
KAUST held its 15th convocation, welcoming 341 new students, 40% of whom are from Saudi Arabia. The event highlighted KAUST's renewed focus on sustainable and global impact, as well as strengthened partnerships within Saudi Arabia and abroad. Dr. Justine Braguy, a KAUST alumna and founder of Thya Technology (AI-based computer vision products), shared her entrepreneurial experience. Why it matters: KAUST's emphasis on translating innovation and fostering entrepreneurship, particularly in AI through ventures like Thya Technology, contributes to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals.
KAUST spinout WAYAKIT has partnered with Saudi Ground Services (SGS) to provide sustainable cleaning solutions for the airline industry across two dozen airports. WAYAKIT's biotechnology solutions develop non-toxic cleaning disinfectants. SGS shifted to WAYAKIT's solution, increasing cleaning efficiency, saving operational costs, and decreasing exposure to toxic chemicals. Why it matters: This highlights the potential for KAUST spinouts to contribute to Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative by developing eco-friendly and effective products.
KAUST and Shenzhen, China, signed several MOUs on September 14 to enhance collaboration in research, education, talent exchange, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The agreements involve Tsinghua University, Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), and Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data. The alliances are part of KAUST’s strategy to connect with elite academic institutions and innovation hubs to promote research commercialization. Why it matters: The partnership aims to boost Saudi Arabia's economic competitiveness and elevate its higher education system by fostering scientific research and innovation.
KAUST's Fuel Lubricants Efficient Engine Technology (FLEET) Consortium, established with OSP last year, added Luberef and Ferrari as new members. FLEET has completed six projects in its first year, including studying liquid spray and combustion, developing fuel cells, and capturing energy from ship engines. Eight new projects have been announced, including lubricant exploration for electric and hydrogen vehicles and improving hydrogen engine performance. Why it matters: The expansion of FLEET and its new projects underscore Saudi Arabia's commitment to carbon neutrality through collaborative research and development in sustainable transportation technologies.
Researchers introduce TII-SSRC-23, a new network intrusion detection dataset designed to improve the diversity and representation of modern network traffic for machine learning models. The dataset includes a range of traffic types and subtypes to address the limitations of existing datasets. Feature importance analysis and baseline experiments for supervised and unsupervised intrusion detection are also provided.
KAUST researchers collaborated to identify molecular pathways for plant biofortification of vitamin A. A KAUST group demonstrated high pressure conversion of carbon dioxide into useful products. Another team designed a biosensor using metal oxide transistors to detect glucose in saliva. Why it matters: These projects highlight KAUST's contributions to biotechnology, environmental sustainability, and healthcare through advanced materials and molecular techniques.
KAUST researchers are studying corals in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf that are more tolerant of high temperatures. They are mating corals from different parts of the world, assuming that the offspring will be more heat-resistant. Using a commercial coral spawning system, the researchers can time coral spawning to cross colonies that would not naturally cross. Why it matters: This research aims to identify genes responsible for temperature resilience and use selective breeding to increase coral resilience in the face of rising ocean temperatures.
Saudi Arabia launched the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP) Global Platform Foundation to accelerate coral reef research. The initiative was adopted by the G20 during Saudi Arabia's presidency in 2020, with headquarters at KAUST. Several leading Saudi entities signed letters of intent or MOUs to support the Foundation, which will serve as CORDAP's financial arm. Why it matters: This foundation strengthens Saudi Arabia's leadership in environmental research and development, particularly in addressing the critical issue of coral reef conservation.
KAUST researchers demonstrated a new flash memory device design using gallium oxide, which can withstand harsh environments. In collaboration with the University of Michigan, KAUST researchers explained a key molecular event for the activation of an enzyme associated with cancer. The Summer 2023 issue of KAUST Discovery is now available. Why it matters: These research achievements highlight KAUST's contributions to advanced materials science and biomedical research, with potential applications in space technology and cancer treatment.
The KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative (KRRI) observed the first-ever mass synchronized coral spawning in the northern Red Sea at NEOM’s Shushah Island. In March 2023, KRRI launched on-the-reef restoration work at Shushah, propagating nearly 5,000 corals from a dozen species, nearly half of their 2023 annual target. KRRI is testing various coral propagation techniques and nursery designs, aiming to produce half a million corals per year. Why it matters: This initiative is a major step towards coral reef restoration in the Red Sea, aligning with Saudi Arabia's sustainable development goals.
This paper introduces a virtual wheel-terrain interaction model developed and validated for the UAE Rashid rover to enhance simulation accuracy for space rovers. The model incorporates wheel grouser properties, slippage, soil properties, and interaction mechanics, validated via lunar soil simulation. Experiments tested a Grouser-Rashid rover wheel at slip ratios of 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75. Why it matters: This simulation method advances rover design and control, crucial for the UAE's space exploration program and lunar mission success.
KAUST Associate Professor Derya Baran was named one of Forbes’ 20 Women Behind Middle Eastern Tech Brands for her work developing iyris SecondSky, a greenhouse roofing product. SecondSky uses nanoparticle additives to block heat while allowing light to pass through, reducing energy consumption by up to 40% and water use by 30%. The technology is already used in farms across 12 countries and is being considered for residential and commercial construction in Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the growing role of women in Middle Eastern tech and the potential for KAUST-developed technologies to address sustainability challenges in the region.
Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) is undertaking cutting-edge AI research and development, including work on Arabic language technologies, computer vision, and data analytics. QCRI's projects span healthcare, disaster response, and cybersecurity. Why it matters: QCRI's work helps to build local AI expertise and address regional challenges.
KAUST researchers cultivated the extremophile microalga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, which thrives in hot, acidic conditions, using commercial fertilizer at lab and outdoor large-scale culture. This was part of the Development of Algal Biotechnology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (DABKSA) project, a collaboration between MEWA and KAUST. The microalgae consume pollutants and CO2 to produce biomass like proteins and oils, which can be used as sustainable animal feed. Why it matters: This positions Saudi Arabia as a potential leader in algal technologies, strengthens food independence, and contributes to the country's carbon net-zero goal by 2060.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a new method called Deep State Identifier for extracting information from videos for reinforcement learning. The method learns to predict returns from video-encoded episodes and identifies critical states using mask-based sensitivity analysis. Experiments demonstrate the method's potential for understanding and improving agent behavior in DRL.
KAUST researchers led by Prof. Omar Mohammed developed safer scintillation materials to improve X-ray imaging. A team led by Assoc. Prof. Yoji Kobayashi discovered a calcium-based catalyst that unexpectedly synthesizes ammonia. Why it matters: These research advancements from KAUST contribute to scientific innovation in materials science and sustainable chemical processes within the region.
Researchers have introduced LLMeBench, a customizable framework for evaluating large language models (LLMs) across diverse NLP tasks and languages. The framework features generic dataset loaders, multiple model providers, and pre-implemented evaluation metrics, supporting in-context learning with zero- and few-shot settings. LLMeBench was tested on 31 unique NLP tasks using 53 datasets across 90 experimental setups with 296K data points, and the code has been open-sourced. Why it matters: The framework's flexibility and ease of customization should accelerate LLM benchmarking, especially for Arabic and other low-resource languages.
KAUST researchers reported the full genome sequencing of einkorn wheat in Nature. A new 'cooling score' metric was created to study heat's impact on solar cell performance. KAUST is also optimizing MXenes for lithium batteries and using biomimetic mineralization for smart agriculture. Why it matters: This research demonstrates KAUST's contributions to diverse fields, including genomics, sustainable energy, and smart agriculture, advancing technological innovation in Saudi Arabia.
KAUST marine biologist Maggie Johnson is studying how to accurately measure environmental conditions to optimize coral restoration, focusing on temperature and light. She highlights the variability in precision and accuracy of commercially available instruments for measuring these parameters. Johnson notes that some instruments fail in the Red Sea's warm temperatures and high salinity, providing incorrect data. Why it matters: Accurate environmental monitoring is crucial for the success of coral reef restoration efforts in the face of climate change, especially in extreme environments like the Red Sea.
Dr. Paula Moraga, an Assistant Professor at KAUST, has been awarded the 2023 Letten Prize for her work on disease surveillance systems. The prize recognizes researchers under 45 for contributions to health, development, environment, and equality. Moraga's research enables early epidemic detection, and she was selected from 164 applicants. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's contributions to public health research and underscores the importance of AI and data science in addressing global health challenges.
KAUST alumnus Dr. Hesham Omran won the UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for achievements in STEM. Omran was recognized for his Analog Designer’s Toolbox (ADT) and his Mastering Microelectronics YouTube channel, which has over 1.2 million views. Omran aims to boost microelectronics innovation in the Arab world. Why it matters: The award highlights the impact of KAUST graduates on STEM fields in the region and recognizes contributions to education and innovation in microelectronics.
The paper introduces Duet, a hybrid neural relation understanding method for cardinality estimation. Duet addresses limitations of existing learned methods, such as high costs and scalability issues, by incorporating predicate information into an autoregressive model. Experiments demonstrate Duet's efficiency, accuracy, and scalability, even outperforming GPU-based methods on CPU.
KAUST researcher Erkan Aydin is focusing his research on space-grade photovoltaics, driven by the increasing demand for low-cost solar cells due to the boom in space travel. Aydin notes that existing high-performance photovoltaics are too expensive and cannot meet the projected demand from mega-satellite constellations. He believes perovskite-tandem solar cells offer a cheaper and more scalable alternative, with the main challenge being stabilizing the cells against space extremes. Why it matters: This research aims to address a critical need in the rapidly expanding space industry, potentially positioning KAUST as a leader in developing cost-effective and scalable solar solutions for space applications.
KAUST's algae biotechnology lab, led by Kyle Lauersen, is isolating and characterizing algal species adapted to Saudi Arabia's climate, using 22 bioreactors to simulate different conditions. The team has isolated over 60 strains, building a biobank for Saudi Arabia, and collaborates with a pilot algal facility supported by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to produce high-protein algae for aquaculture. They are also determining optimal conditions for algal growth and measuring oil, protein, and carbohydrate production. Why it matters: This research has the potential to advance Saudi Arabia's bioeconomy by leveraging algae for wastewater treatment, animal feed production, and other applications.
KAUST researchers Anthony Cioppa and Silvio Giancola have developed SoccerNet, an open platform for AI-driven sports analysis. SoccerNet uses a large reference set of soccer game recordings (500 games, 850 hours) to provide a platform for research. It enables researchers to develop AI systems that understand and analyze soccer games. Why it matters: This platform addresses the challenge of limited datasets in sports AI research, fostering innovation and standardized performance comparison.
Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) published a paper in the Royal Society Open Science journal focusing on the role of "affective features" in improving Arabic dialect identification. The research demonstrates that incorporating features related to emotions and sentiment enhances the accuracy of identifying different Arabic dialects. The study used a dataset of 14 Levantine dialects. Why it matters: This highlights the growing focus on nuanced Arabic NLP research within the GCC, moving beyond standard language models to incorporate cultural and emotional understanding.
KAUST researchers are developing an AI tool to classify fish species based on economic value and population growth rate, aiming to aid sustainable fisheries management in Saudi Arabia. The tool will help identify species at risk of decline, supporting marine conservation and food security goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia aims to increase self-sufficiency in seafood production amid declining Red Sea fish populations. Why it matters: This initiative could significantly improve fisheries management and conservation efforts in the Red Sea, informing policy decisions and supporting sustainable food production in line with national objectives.
This paper evaluates the performance of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 on seven Arabic NLP tasks including sentiment analysis, translation, and diacritization. GPT-4 outperforms GPT-3.5 on most tasks. The study provides an analysis of sentiment analysis and introduces a Python interface, Taqyim, for evaluating Arabic NLP tasks. Why it matters: The evaluation of LLMs on Arabic NLP tasks helps to identify strengths and weaknesses, guiding future research and development efforts in the field.
This paper introduces neural Bayes estimators for censored peaks-over-threshold models, enhancing computational efficiency in spatial extremal dependence modeling. The method uses data augmentation to encode censoring information in the neural network input, challenging traditional likelihood-based approaches. The estimators were applied to assess extreme particulate matter concentrations over Saudi Arabia, demonstrating efficacy in high-dimensional models. Why it matters: The research offers a computationally efficient alternative for environmental modeling and risk assessment in the region.
KAUST Professor Suzana Nunes has been named a 2023 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Laureate for Africa and the Arab States. She was recognized for her work developing nanomaterials for molecule separation with a low carbon footprint. Nunes' work focuses on synthesizing membranes with nanopores to reduce energy demands in manufacturing, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals. Why it matters: This award highlights the Kingdom's growing support for women in science and recognizes impactful research aligned with national sustainability goals.
KAUST Professor Salim Al-Babili is working to improve crop performance and nutritional value, with a focus on pearl millet. He received a $5 million grant from the Gates Foundation in 2018 to combat the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica, which causes billions in losses annually in Sub-Saharan Africa. His team is developing hormone-based strategies to protect pearl millet from Striga infestation, a project spanning lab research to field trials in Saudi Arabia and Africa. Why it matters: This research addresses critical food security challenges in both Africa and the Middle East by developing practical tools for smallholder farmers, bridging the gap between lab discoveries and real-world applications.
KAUST researchers have integrated a hexagonal boron nitride sheet into CMOS microchips, creating a hybrid 2D-CMOS microchip. This integration leverages the electrical and thermal properties of 2D materials, resulting in circuits that are smaller, more energy-efficient, and have longer lifespans. The KAUST Imaging and Characterization Core Lab contributed to the observations in this study, which involved researchers from six countries. Why it matters: This achievement represents a significant advancement in microchip miniaturization and performance, potentially impacting various electronic applications.
The paper introduces the Unscented Autoencoder (UAE), a novel deep generative model based on the Variational Autoencoder (VAE) framework. The UAE uses the Unscented Transform (UT) for a more informative posterior representation compared to the reparameterization trick in VAEs. It replaces Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence with the Wasserstein distribution metric and demonstrates competitive performance in Fréchet Inception Distance (FID) scores.
This paper benchmarks the performance of OpenAI's Whisper model on diverse Arabic speech recognition tasks, using publicly available data and novel dialect evaluation sets. The study explores zero-shot, few-shot, and full finetuning scenarios. Results indicate that while Whisper outperforms XLS-R models in zero-shot settings on standard datasets, its performance drops significantly when applied to unseen Arabic dialects.
KAUST, KACST, and RDI co-organized the Future of Semiconductors Forum 2023, held at KAUST on May 15-18, featuring 36 speakers from leading research institutes, universities, and companies. Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Shuji Nakamura and Minister of Investment Eng. Kahlid Al Falih headlined the event, emphasizing the importance of semiconductors in various sectors, including AI and renewable energy. NEOM's Dr. Donal Bradley highlighted the need for energy-efficient semiconductor innovations to support NEOM's vision and reduce carbon footprint. Why it matters: The forum underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a global leader in semiconductor technology, fostering local expertise and attracting international investment in this critical sector.
This paper introduces a novel approach for monitoring and analyzing the evolution of complex geographic objects in satellite image time-series. The method uses a spatiotemporal graph and constraint satisfaction problems (CSP) to model and analyze object changes. Experiments on real-world satellite images from Saudi Arabian cities demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
This paper introduces a new task: detecting propaganda techniques in code-switched text. The authors created and released a corpus of 1,030 English-Roman Urdu code-switched texts annotated with 20 propaganda techniques. Experiments show the importance of directly modeling multilinguality and using the right fine-tuning strategy for this task.
KAUST's Sciencetown Episode 25 features Professor Pascal Saikaly discussing novel wastewater treatment approaches at KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Center. The episode highlights innovative methods for producing clean water for non-potable uses like irrigation. A recently installed portable pilot plant is designed to provide sanitation for rural Saudi areas with reduced costs. Why it matters: This showcases KAUST's contribution to sustainable water solutions, crucial for water-scarce regions like Saudi Arabia.
KAUST and Frontiers for Young Minds (FYM) have partnered to produce child-friendly science articles in Arabic, engaging young Arabic speakers in scientific research. Their collaboration resulted in the first Arabic-original science article, "The Story of Legionella: From Surviving inside Amoebas to Causing Pneumonia", written by researchers from the University of Louisville. The article was reviewed by children, including two Saudis, with mentorship from a KAUST PhD graduate. Why it matters: This initiative promotes STEAM leadership in the region by making complex scientific concepts accessible to young Arabic-speaking readers, fostering early engagement in science.
Three KAUST researchers, Asma Al-Amoodi, Walaa Khushaim, and Hajar Al-Zarah, have been selected to attend the 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings in Germany. They will join 600 young scientists to discuss physiology and medicine with around 40 Nobel Laureates. The students, pursuing PhDs in Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), will have networking opportunities through lectures, talks, and discussions. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's growing prominence in bioscience and bioengineering research and provides a platform for young Saudi researchers to engage with leading global scientists.
KAUST researchers have identified a protein complex of HuR and YB1 that stabilizes messenger RNA during muscle-fiber formation. The complex protects RNA as it carries muscle-forming code through the cell. Further research aims to elucidate the individual roles of each protein in the stabilization process. Why it matters: Understanding this RNA-stabilizing complex could lead to new therapies for muscle recovery and the prevention of muscle-related pathologies.
KAUST released its first report on the University’s progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, covering the period from 2021 to 2022. The report highlights KAUST’s involvement in international sustainability networks, research on climate solutions, and engagement with strategic national projects. KAUST is committed to the global sustainability agenda and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 through ecosystem protection, water, energy, food security, and economic diversification. Why it matters: This report signals KAUST's increasing role in advancing Saudi Arabia's sustainability goals and aligns its research with global environmental priorities.
KAUST's Sami Al-Ghamdi is conducting multidisciplinary research on urban sustainability to mitigate climate change and optimize resource consumption. His work supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly urban gigaprojects like NEOM and Saudi Downtown. He develops computational models to assess the environmental impact of various aspects of the built environment. Why it matters: This research is crucial for advancing sustainable urban development in Saudi Arabia and achieving its ambitious environmental goals.