Page 11 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

UAE LEADS ON IN 5G, AI, IT, AND SPACE SAMENA TRENDS

World’s First Artificial Intelligence University Announced in the UAE

Abu Dhabi has announced the As such, the Mohamed bin Zayed economy, with experts estimating that,
establishment of the Mohamed bin University of Artificial Intelligence is an by 2030, AI could contribute nearly $16
Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence open invitation from Abu Dhabi to the world trillion. Experts now estimate that, by 2030,
(MBZUAI), the first graduate level, to unleash AI’s full potential. “AI is already AI’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP will rise
research-based AI University in the world. changing the world, but we can achieve to nearly 14 percent – the largest GDP
MBZUAI will enable graduate students, so much more if we allow the limitless share in the Middle East. Al Jaber added:
businesses, and governments to advance imagination of the human mind to fully “The launch of the Mohamed bin Zayed
artificial intelligence, a statement said. The explore it,” he added. “The university will University of Artificial Intelligence is a clear
University is named after Sheikh Mohamed bring the discipline of AI into the forefront, demonstration of the UAE’s commitment to
bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu molding and empowering creative pioneers encouraging innovation and empowering
Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander who can lead us to a new AI empowered younger generations in the UAE and around
of the UAE Armed Forces, who has long era.” Experts from around the world have the world.” The university will offer Master
advocated for the UAE’s development of been selected for the university’s board of Science (MSc) and PhD level programs
human capital through knowledge and of trustees. They include MBZUAI interim in key areas of AI – Machine Learning,
scientific thinking to take the nation into president, Professor Sir Michael Brady, Computer Vision, and Natural Language
the future, it added. MBZUAI will provide all professor of Oncological Imaging at the Processing – while also engaging
admitted students with a full scholarship, University of Oxford in the UK; Professor policymakers and businesses around the
plus benefits such as a monthly allowance, Anil K Jain, a University Distinguished world so that AI is harnessed responsibly
health insurance, and accommodation. Professor at Michigan State University, as a force for positive transformation.
The university will also work with leading US; Professor Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, MBZUAI will also bring together experts
local and global companies to secure Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary from the AI community by hosting
internships, and will also assist students in Information Sciences at Tsinghua regional and international conferences,
finding employment opportunities. The first University, Beijing, China; Dr Kai-Fu Lee, a seminars and workshops. Professor Brady
class of graduate students will commence technology executive and venture capitalist said: “Following decades of research
coursework at MBZUAI’s Masdar City based in Beijing, China; Professor Daniela into machine learning and artificial
campus in September 2020. MBZUAI Rus, Director of Massachusetts Institute of intelligence, we are now at a turning
will introduce a new model of academia Technology (MIT) Computer Science and point in the widespread application of
and research to the field of AI, providing Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), advanced intelligence. That evolution is—
students and faculty access to some of US, and Peng Xiao, CEO of Group 42. The among other things—creating exciting new
the world’s most advanced AI systems trustees will be supported by an advisory career opportunities in nearly every sector
to unleash its potential for economic and board, chaired by Omar Al Olama, Minister of society. At MBZUAI, we will support
societal development. Dr. Sultan Ahmed of State for Artificial Intelligence. The students to capture those opportunities
Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State, who has announcement comes as AI is set to have and to magnify their contribution to the
been appointed chair of the MBZUAI a transformational impact on the global field of AI globally.”
board of trustees
and is spearheading
the establishment of
the University, said:
“Mohamed bin Zayed
University of Artificial
Intelligence aligns
with the vision of the
UAE leadership that is
based on sustainable
development, progress
and the overall well-
being of humanity
and underpinned by
capacity-building and
active participation
in finding practical
solutions based on
innovation and state-
of-the-art technology.”

11 OCTOBER 2019