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Abu Dhabi AI Company Aims To Create Global Tech Hub
Backed by the Advanced Technology Research Council, AI71 seeks to democratize access to AI using the UAE’s Falcon large language model.
Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council has launched a new artificial intelligence company known as AI71 in a bid to become a global hub for the emerging technology.
The new entity will democratize access to AI and is built using the Falcon large language model developed by the research council’s Technology Innovation Institute.
AI71 will soon be taken to market by commercialization arm VentureOne and was formally launched by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
The company is designed to cater to medical, legal, education, and government fields, with “many others” to come, according to Faisal Al Bannai, secretary general of the council:
“By creating AI71, [the company] becomes a major part of driving AI use across multiple sectors. So, it increases our efficiency and ability to be much more productive and competitive globally. We will not be shy in our objectives. We will not be humble in our goals. We are determined to be a key player in shaping where AI is going globally. AI71 will play a pivotal role in this journey”.
Also Read: How (And Why) To Start A Tech Business In Dubai
AI71 has already signed an agreement with the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Omar Al Olama, and local start-up ecosystem Hub71. Meanwhile, the company will join forces with major global corporations, including Amazon Web Services, PwC, World Wide Technology, and CNTXT.
Generative AI holds enormous economic potential. As investments in the sector continue to grow, Gulf countries are expected to generate $23.5 billion by 2030. The UAE has already made great strides in AI after recently unveiling the world’s largest Arabic natural language model.
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Popcorn AI Raises $500,000 For “Conversational eCommerce”
The firm’s AI platform uses specialized chatbots to handle entire eCommerce journeys, from recommending products to seamless payments.
Dubai-based Popcorn AI has announced the closure of a pre-seed funding round that raised $500,000 for its revolutionary AI platform. The investment, led by Spring Studios with the backing of Salica Investments, Al Waha Fund of Funds, and prominent angel investors from Saudi Arabia, represents a key step forward in reshaping customer-business interactions using the power of conversational AI.
Unlike traditional chatbot systems, Popcorn AI’s platform is designed to redefine eCommerce by creating highly intelligent sales agents that handle entire customer journeys, from personalized product recommendations right through to seamless payment acceptance — all through a conversational experience.
The clever idea was recently tested to great success when one of Popcorn AI’s chatbot agents closed a $400,000 real estate transaction, handling everything from the first inquiry to the final sale. Early adopters have reported a massive 90% reduction in customer acquisition costs, along with a highly impressive 20% improvement in conversion rates, highlighting the platform’s potential to transform customer engagement across dozens of industries.
Josh Rodger, Principal at the Spring Studios fund, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, “We are proud to support Popcorn AI’s mission to reshape how businesses connect with their customers. Their innovative approach to conversational commerce has the potential to revolutionize industries and redefine the way customers experience digital transactions”.
Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East
Meanwhile, Popcorn AI founder and CEO Yousef Al Arif declared: “The future of commerce is conversational,” adding, “Today’s consumers want shopping experiences that are instant, personalized, and effortless. We’re not building just another chatbot; we’re crafting intelligent commerce agents that understand context, recall customer preferences, and guide users through the entire shopping process, much like an expert salesperson would”.
Building upon a decade of experience scaling eCommerce and marketplace platforms across the MENA region, Al Arif has now achieved huge success with Popcorn AI, positioning the product at the cutting edge of AI-powered eCommerce. The platform has also made significant impacts in sectors such as real estate, and hospitality, signaling that conversational commerce is emerging as a powerful new model for digital businesses.
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