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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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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
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The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.