News

Dubai Municipality To Test Construction Materials Using AI Robots

The technology shortens testing from 4 days to 8 minutes, according to experts.

Published

3 years ago

August 17, 2023

Nour Nasir

dubai municipality to test construction materials using ai robots

Dubai Media Office

The Central Laboratory of Dubai Municipality is now using robots employing X-Rays and AI technology to conduct the automated chemical analysis of various construction materials, including cement.

Testing is linked to a smart laboratory platform, allowing engineers to receive inspection reports through smartphones and other mobile devices. The new system will improve the quality of the Municipality’s testing services to meet top international construction standards.

.@DMunicipality leverages AI robots to test construction materials used across #Dubai, resulting in a shortened testing period of 8 minutes, down from 4 working days, and an increased daily ratio of samples tested by 650%.https://t.co/iTzhfv9jUT pic.twitter.com/VqJ6Dp31zV

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 16, 2023

Hind Mahmoud Ahmed, Acting Director of the Dubai Central Laboratory Department at Dubai Municipality, explained, “The robots utilize X-rays to precisely carry out chemical analysis of construction materials and cement products used, which allows for effectively meeting the requirements of the construction sector. The technology shortens the duration of the tests from 4 days to 8 minutes, with a record daily increase in the ratio of samples examined to 650 percent, compared to the previous pre-application situation”.

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As well as helping to meet stringent safety standards, cement testing also impacts sustainability. Inspection of various mixtures can quickly ascertain their lifespan, helping city planners make better choices when commissioning new buildings. What do you think of the new AI robots?

Related Topics:Artificial Intelligence Dubai Robotics

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News

YouTube Rolls Out Supervised Children’s Accounts Across MENA

An industry-first feed timer lets parents cap Shorts scrolling. Access can also be switched off entirely ahead of exam season.

Published

12 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Dana Saadeh

YouTube

YouTube has launched supervised kid accounts across the Middle East and North Africa, giving parents a way to hand their children the main YouTube app without handing over all of it. Announced in Dubai on July 2, the accounts are built directly into the platform rather than the standalone YouTube Kids app, and are aimed at families who feel a child has outgrown the curated library but isn’t ready for the open feed.

Parents can choose from three content settings, each broadly aligned with international content ratings. Explore covers educational videos, tutorials, arts and crafts, and dance. Explore More adds gaming and live streams. Most of YouTube opens up almost everything except videos rated 18+ or deemed inappropriate for supervised accounts.

The standout tool is an industry-first Shorts feed timer, which lets parents set daily limits on short-form scrolling. Set it to zero and Shorts disappears altogether – a lever YouTube suggests parents might pull ahead of exam season. Other protections are on by default for all users under 18: “Take a Break” and “Bedtime” reminders, no personalized ad targeting, autoplay switched off, and no ability to upload videos or write comments. The accounts are optional, and parents can end supervision at any time.

The kid accounts join supervised teen accounts already available across the region, which notify parents by email when a teenager uploads a video or starts a live stream.

“YouTube has been a huge part of families’ lives across this region for over 20 years,” said Javid Aslanov, head of YouTube Middle East and North Africa, citing Kantar research showing 95% of viewers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE agree YouTube has top content in education and learning.

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“It’s essential that we protect young people in – not from – the digital world,” added Garth Graham, YouTube’s head of health.

The new settings are rolling out gradually across the MENA, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Iraq. The latest features can be set up through Family Center in the YouTube app or via Google Family Link.