News

Bahrain Plans To Develop 300 Smart Factories By 2026

The iFactories initiative will adopt the top regional and global practices to ensure sustainability and raise productivity.

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2023

Nour Nasir

bahrain plans to develop 300 smart factories by 2026

Bahrain has launched an initiative to support its manufacturing sector as the world moves closer towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The initiative is known as iFactories and will assess factories’ readiness and digital maturity while allowing businesses to invest in new infrastructure and manufacturing automation technologies.

Abdullah bin Abdel Fakhro, Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, said the initiative aims to transform 300 manufacturing facilities into smart factories by 2026.

The initiative will use a four-step process:

Evaluation by the ministry with technical assistance to conduct self-evaluation.
Evaluation by a team of accredited evaluators.
Empowerment, involving the factory creating a digital transformation plan.
Development, with the ministry monitoring the transformation process.

Dr. Khaled Fahad Al Alawi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Development, explained that smart factories would be evaluated using the SIRI index, an international standard based on applying practices and tools centered around the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

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The latest initiative is part of broader plans to drive growth by modernizing Bahrain’s industrial sector and encouraging businesses to automate and expand their operations.

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

16 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

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The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.