The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) joined forces with US tech giant IBM and China’s Alibaba and Huawei to build advanced capabilities in the fields of artificial intelligence and smart cities in an effort to boost its national data and AI strategy.
SDAIA signed three different pacts with the tech companies on Thursday at the Global AI Summit in Riyadh.
“We are looking forward to developing real use cases in the fields of AI … many of them will focus on Arabic language,” said Majid Altuwaijri, chief executive of the National Centre for AI at SDAIA.
5G, AI and cloud are the new engines of growth ...
“These pacts will help Saudi Arabia to achieve its aim to reach among the top 15 countries in AI and train 20,000 data and AI specialists in the coming years,” he added.
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday launched its National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to make the Arab world’s biggest economy a leader in AI while helping it to diversify the economy and reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons.
The kingdom is aiming to attract foreign and local investment worth $20 billion in the fields of data and AI in the next 10 years.
It is aiming to develop customised AI tools that could propel the use of Arabic language in AI algorithms and software.
“Arabic is spoken by nearly 400 million people around the globe … [but] it is underserved when it comes to AI. Together with our partners, we aim to develop Arabic language and character recognition tools using AI,” Mr Altuwaijri said.
“It would support all Arab citizens by offering AI technologies that will be specialised in their local language.”
The partnership with Huawei aims to create a comprehensive strategy that will develop AI skills and capabilities in line with the Vision 2030 objectives.
Researchers from Saudi Arabia and Huawei will work together on various technologies to produce advanced solutions to support humanity, Mr Altuwaijri said.
“5G, AI and cloud are the new engines of growth ... in the next five years, we will spend $100bn in these three areas and it will help us to maintain the leading position in the overall ICT domain,” said Charles Yang, Huawei’s president for Middle East and Africa.
“5G, AI and cloud will drive the Saudi Arabian economy further to new peaks,” he added.
Huawei earned $64.8bn in revenue in the first half of the year, nearly 13 per cent more than the same period of last year.
“We managed to give stellar performance despite various pressures such as Covid-19 and fluctuating oil prices. We are determined to drive it further in collaboration with Saudi Arabia,” Mr Wang said.
SDAIA's pact with Alibaba Cloud will allow it to develop smart cities using AI and empower the kingdom’s urban areas with intelligence-driven solutions.
The deal will focus on empowering cities to effectively and efficiently respond to the citizens' needs while improving the quality of life and transforming Saudi Arabia to become more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable, SDAIA said.
Alibaba will also utilise data to make cities smarter while improving their safety and security.
AI is expected to contribute up to 12.4 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product – equivalent to Dh496.2bn ($135bn) – by 2030, according to a report by consultancy PwC.
The inaugural two-day summit is being held online under the theme of AI for the Good of Humanity. It was originally scheduled to take place in March but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
SDAIA said it is looking forward to developing real use cases of AI with IBM that can transform various industrial sectors such as healthcare and energy.
“This MoU is just an extension of our already strong ties with the kingdom,” said Ritika Gunnar, vice president of data and AI expert services and learning at IBM.
“We are looking forward to drive the kingdom’s national strategy using our solutions while promoting AI awareness and education in the community.”
Saudi Arabia also signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Telecommunication Union – a UN-backed internet and telecoms agency – to promote best practices of AI solutions globally.
“AI can unlock insights into some of the world’s toughest challenges such as [the] climate change, poverty and health,” said Houlin Zhao, secretary-general of ITU.
"This MoU will help to optimise the benefits of AI in sustainable development … only 10 years are left to achieve the [UN sustainable development] goals … we will explore and highlight the best practices that nations can leverage for the good of humanity,” he added.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
GROUPS
Group Gustavo Kuerten
Novak Djokovic (x1)
Alexander Zverev (x3)
Marin Cilic (x5)
John Isner (x8)
Group Lleyton Hewitt
Roger Federer (x2)
Kevin Anderson (x4)
Dominic Thiem (x6)
Kei Nishikori (x7)
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
SUZUME
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What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The five pillars of Islam
Company%20profile
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F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
