Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, has been recognised for his contribution to artificial intelligence technology. Photo: Supreme Council for National Security
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, has been recognised for his contribution to artificial intelligence technology. Photo: Supreme Council for National Security
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, has been recognised for his contribution to artificial intelligence technology. Photo: Supreme Council for National Security
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, has been recognised for his contribution to artificial intelligence technology. Photo: Supreme Council for National S

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed named on global list of 100 most influential people in AI


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Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, has been named one of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence in a new Time magazine list.

Sheikh Tahnoon, who serves as chairman of Abu Dhabi's leading artificial intelligence and cloud computing group, G42, was joined on the global ranking by high-profile technology leaders such as ChatGPT creator Sam Altman and Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg.

Faisal Al Bannai, secretary-general of the Advanced Technology Research Council, was also among the top 100.

In April, Mr Al Bannai was appointed by President Sheikh Mohamed as Adviser for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, carrying the rank of a government minister.

The Time100 AI list aims to shine a light on leaders, innovators, shapers and thinkers who are playing a crucial role in harnessing the cutting-edge tool.

Sheikh Tahnoon is part of the Shapers category, which also features representatives from Google and Reddit, plus Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson, who has highlighted the need for the advanced technology's growth to be carefully regulated after telling of her dismay at a ChatGPT voice assistant which sounded "eerily similar to her".

Sheikh Tahnoon has played a significant role in the UAE's efforts to champion the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

In April, G42 received a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft. The expanded partnership includes the creation of a $1 billion fund to support developers aimed at enhancing the Middle East's technology talent pool.

"Microsoft’s investment in G42 marks a pivotal moment in our company’s journey of growth and innovation, signifying a strategic alignment of vision and execution between the two organisations," said Sheikh Tahnoon at the time.

Faisal Al Bannai, chairman of the board of directors of Edge Group, was named as an AI leader in the new Time list. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Faisal Al Bannai, chairman of the board of directors of Edge Group, was named as an AI leader in the new Time list. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mr Al Bannai was included in the "leader" section of the list, which also features technology pioneers Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, praised Sheikh Tahnoon and Mr Al Bannai for making the list.

"The homeland is proud of you and is betting on what you bet on and the future is built with you and by you," Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X.

Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, was part of the inaugural list in September 2023.

The UAE's commitment to the field was demonstrated when it established the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in 2019.

The first batch of students to enrol at Abu Dhabi's artificial intelligence university graduated in January 2023.

A new Abu Dhabi-developed artificial intelligence large language model for Arabic was unveiled last year, aiming to bring one of the world's most widely used languages into the AI mainstream.

Jais, an open-source bilingual Arabic-English model, was developed by Inception, a unit of Abu Dhabi AI company G42, Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Silicon Valley-based Cerebras Systems.

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Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge – Rally schedule:

Saturday: Super Special Spectator Stage – Yas Marina Circuit – start 3.30pm.
Sunday: Yas Marina Circuit Stage 1 (276.01km)
Monday: Nissan Stage 2 (287.92km)
Tuesday: Al Ain Water Stage 3 (281.38km)
Wednesday: ADNOC Stage 4 (244.49km)
Thursday: Abu Dhabi Aviation Stage 5 (218.57km) Finish: Yas Marina Circuit – 4.30pm.

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Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis

Born: September 30, 1998

Age: 20 years and 26 days

Nationality: Sri Lankan

Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team

Batting style: Left-hander

Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
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Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

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Results

Men's finals

45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.

51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. ​​​​​​​54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.

57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.

63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.

71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg:​​​​​​​ Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).

81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.

91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.

Women's finals

45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.

51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.

57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.

63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).

Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

Updated: March 19, 2025, 10:06 AM