How Saudi Arabia’s KAUST is pushing the envelope on Generative AI possibilities

How Saudi Arabia’s KAUST is pushing the envelope on Generative AI possibilities
An aerial view of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal is shown nin this photo posted on KAUST’s Facebook account. (Photo courtesy of KAUST)
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Updated 20 July 2024
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How Saudi Arabia’s KAUST is pushing the envelope on Generative AI possibilities

How Saudi Arabia’s KAUST is pushing the envelope on Generative AI possibilities
  • Launch of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology’s Center of Excellence was announced on July 1
  • The goal is to find solutions aligned with four national priority areas outlined in Kingdom’s RDIA Vision 2030

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is joining the global artificial intelligence race by accelerating generative AI research and development through models that align with the Kingdom’s Research Development and Innovation Authority’s Vision 2030.

“Generative AI (GenAI) is on its way to transform every aspect of our civilization and has already started doing so. It will be central to the future development of (Saudi Arabia), with a plethora of applications in health care, industry, energy, sustainability and entertainment, among many others,” Bernard Ghanem, chair of the Center of Excellence in Generative AI at KAUST, told Arab News.

On July 1, KAUST announced the launch of its Center of Excellence (CoE) on Generative AI, which intends to be the premier research, development, and innovation hub for pioneering generative AI technology aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges faced by the Kingdom and the world.




KAUST's new Center of Excellence (CoE) on Generative AI aims to be the premier research, development, and innovation hub for pioneering generative AI technology in the Kingdom. (KAUST photo)

“The KAUST GenAI CoE will push the envelope on what is possible with GenAI, in terms of technical capabilities, applications and real-world impact,” Ghanem said.

“We envision that the CoE will play a major role in boosting and expediting the GenAI landscape in the Kingdom and the world at large, leading to an explosion of new models with real-world applications in the four national priority R&D sectors identified by the Kingdom.”

KAUST’s mission is to enable GenAI research and development through GenAI models to find solutions aligned with the four national priority areas outlined in the Kingdom’s RDIA Vision 2030: Health and wellness; sustainability and essential needs; energy and industrials; and economies of the future.

“Throughout its lifetime, the GenAI CoE will work with partners in the Kingdom and the world to identify specific challenges to tackle within each of the four RDI pillars,” Ghanem said.




Bernard Ghanem, chair of the Center of Excellence in Generative AI at KAUST. (KAUST photo)

He outlined KAUST GenAI CoE’s strategies for using GenAI in the Kingdom’s priority research and development areas.

For health and wellness, the center aims to develop a GenAI multi-modal foundation model designed for clinical image analysis as well as establish a GenAI-based drug design and development pipeline for the Arab population.

In line with sustainability, KAUST GenAI CoE is working to develop GenAI foundation models for Earth observation data from satellite inputs as well as using the set foundation models for insights about Earth observation, with emphasis on specific-use cases including agricultural informatics, ecosystem assessment, and weather forecasting and prediction.

On energy and industries, Ghanem explained that the center of excellence was developing and specializing in GenAI foundational models in the domain of chemistry.




​KAUST’s mission is to enable GenAI research and development to find solutions on health and wellness, sustainability and essential needs, energy and industrials, and economies of the future. (Shutterstock image)

The center is using “foundation models for chemical reaction optimization (i.e., discovering the optimal chemical setup for a reaction to produce the best outcomes) and advanced material discovery and synthesis (i.e., combining GenAI models with an automated robotic chemistry lab for significantly expedited real-world discovery).”

Finally, in its mission to build the economies of the future, the GenAI Center of Excellence is developing and specializing in multi-modal GenAI models for business and government transformation. Through this, it aims to create GenAI models for the education sector such as intelligent tutoring for students and teacher assistance.

Ghanem said that the work in GenAI also extended to establishing “more expressive and more efficient GenAI models for visual content creation to support the growing creative industry such as social media, gaming, and entertainment in general.”

“The prospects of GenAI in creating massive value are supported by recent reports that expect this technology to conservatively add to the world economy a market size of several hundreds of billions of USD by 2030 and to significantly contribute to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2030,” Ghanem said. 

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Ghanem explained that this mission would be executed through three main pillars: “The innovation of general-purpose GenAI models that are endowed with properties needed for ubiquitous, efficient and trustworthy deployment, the specialization of these models for solutions in all four pillars of the RDIA … and the delivery of the Kingdom’s ambition to accelerate the adoption of GenAI in the Kingdom by focusing on translational research and talent development.” 

With advances in Gen AI, new concerns are raised about the technology’s negative societal impacts, such as data privacy, environmental sustainability, and disparities in quality and coverage across regions and cultures. 

The KAUST CoE plans to address these concerns through its research projects on GenAI trustworthiness, efficient training and inference, and Arabic language model development. 

Ghanem underlined their mission in these projects to “usher in the next phase of GenAI technological evolution headlined by trustworthiness, internationalization, open access, and less environmental impact.” 

The GenAI CoE also intends to focus on making a positive impact through GenAI training and upskilling programs for KAUST researchers, partners, and the general public. Through their training outreach initiatives, the CoE hopes to address the shortage of GenAI talent in Saudi Arabia. 




File photo showing participants in the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth held at KAUST in Thuwal last year. KAUST has emphasized the importance of such competitions in fostering AI skills and knowledge among young people. (SPA)

In a press statement, the center recognized that much more will be needed in the way of training, especially at the national level, “to truly drive significant impact in this aspect.” 

When asked what scientific, technical and upskilling challenges need to be addressed to advance the Saudi GenAI sector, Ghanem spoke of the importance of “access to large-scale data, talent development, GenAI hardware infrastructure, and GenAI Investment. 

“The GenAI ecosystem in the Kingdom is young and flourishing, and much progress has been made so far. However, several challenges still remain,” Ghanem said. 

“Arguably, one main reason why popular GenAI tools perform so well right now is their access to large-scale data for training and fine-tuning. Getting access to such volumes of data is crucial for future GenAI development in the Kingdom. Although efforts are ongoing in this respect within Saudi Arabia, more can be done to open source data from various organizations and entities.” 




KAUST also aims to create GenAI models for the education sector such as intelligent tutoring for students and teacher assistance. (Shutterstock image)

Developing a suitable GenAI environment in Saudi Arabia, Ghanem said, “will require a mass-scale talent development program (i.e., GenAI for the masses). This includes access to higher education in the field, but more importantly, it is based on short-term and focused training programs that teach the essentials of GenAI development to non-experts.” 

Ghanem believes that having access to large-scale data and sizable local talent is not enough for a thriving GenAI ecosystem. 

“Access to specialized hardware accelerators (e.g., high-end GPUs) is paramount for GenAI large-scale training and mass inference. Unfortunately, without access to enough of this hardware infrastructure, progress will be dampened, and the ecosystem will not progress and deliver impact in a timely manner,” he said.

On the topic of GenAI investment, Ghanem explained that healthy investment in this sector for homegrown and internationally competitive technology and commercial solutions is essential for a thriving and self-sustaining GenAI ecosystem. 

“While there are efforts in this respect currently ongoing, more concerted efforts can be made to address this challenge in such a fast-paced and ever-evolving field,” he said. 

“Through the CoE, new GenAI models will be developed and deployed to tackle the most pressing national and global challenges. We will do so while maintaining the utmost levels of AI ethical standards, by enforcing key values (e.g., fairness, safety and trustworthiness) in our R&D pipelines.”
 

 


Saudi Arabia launches bid for seven mining exploration licenses

Saudi Arabia launches bid for seven mining exploration licenses
Updated 07 August 2024
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Saudi Arabia launches bid for seven mining exploration licenses

Saudi Arabia launches bid for seven mining exploration licenses

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has launched a competitive bid for seven new mining exploration licenses, covering an area of approximately 1,000 sq. km.

Announced on Aug. 7 by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, this initiative seeks to attract both local and international investors to explore these promising sites.

The exploration sites span various regions and are rich in valuable minerals. The Umm Qasr site in Riyadh, covering over 20 sq. km., is known for its deposits of gold, silver, lead, and zinc.

Another site, Jebel Sabha in Riyadh, extends over 171 sq. km. and contains silver, lead, zinc, and cobalt. Wadi Doush in Asir, which spans more than 157 sq. km., holds deposits of gold, silver, and copper.

The Shuaib Marqan site in Riyadh covers over 92 sq. km and is rich in copper, silver, and gold. The Wadi Al-Jouna site in Asir, the largest of the sites, encompasses 425 sq. km. and contains copper, zinc, silver, and gold.

The Hazm Shubat site in Asir, covering over 93 sq. km., is noted for its gold deposits. Lastly, the Huwaimdhan exploration site in Makkah covers an area of more than 34 sq. km. and also contains gold.

This competition is part of the broader Exploration Enablement Program, designed to accelerate the exploration and development of Saudi Arabia's estimated mineral wealth, valued at SR9.3 trillion ($2.48 trillion). The initiative supports Vision 2030’s goal of establishing mining as a crucial pillar of the national industry.

Interested parties must submit their technical bids by early September 2024, with the winners expected to be announced by the end of the month. The ministry has made geological and technical data available through a dedicated platform to assist bidders.

The evaluation process for the bids will be both transparent and fair, with 70 percent of the evaluation based on the technical work program and expertise, and the remaining 30 percent based on community contributions and innovation.

To further encourage investment, new incentives include support of up to SR7.5 million for companies holding exploration licenses for less than five years, allowing 100 percent foreign ownership, and financing up to 75 percent of capital costs through the Saudi Industrial Development Fund.

Investors interested in participating can visit the ministry’s mining platform to review detailed information and download relevant technical and geological reports.


Closing Bell: Saudi, Gulf stocks post gains following global slump

Closing Bell: Saudi, Gulf stocks post gains following global slump
Updated 07 August 2024
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Closing Bell: Saudi, Gulf stocks post gains following global slump

Closing Bell: Saudi, Gulf stocks post gains following global slump
  • Kingdom’s Tadawul All Share Index closed at 11,729.71, up by 0.43%
  • Qatar’s exchange gained 0.28%, Bahrain bourse edged up 0.09%, Kuwait bourse advanced 0.84%, and Dubai Financial Market rose by 1.45%

RIYADH: Stock markets in the Middle East continued to recover following “Black Monday,” when global indices plunged due to concerns over a potential US recession triggered by a weak jobs report from the world’s largest economy. 

Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed at 11,729.71, up by 50.55 points, or 0.43 percent on Wednesday. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.98 billion ($1.86 billion), as 169 of the stocks advanced, while 62 retreated. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu rose 207.67 points, or 0.81 percent, to close at 25,903.77, with 30 of the listed stocks advancing and 31 retreating. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index gained 0.79 points, or 0.05 percent, to close at 1,467.35. 

Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co. was the top performer of the day, with its share price climbing 10 percent to SR8.14. 

Other notable performers included Baazeem Trading Co. and Al-Baha Investment and Development Co. 

The worst performer was Malath Cooperative Insurance Co. whose share price dropped by 6.12 percent to SR15.66. 

Walaa Cooperative Insurance Co. and Rasan Information Technology Co. also saw declines. 

On the announcements front, Kingdom Holding Co. reported a 76.43 percent increase in net profits for the first half of this year, reaching SR820 million. The increase was attributed to higher equity results, gains on investment property sales, and reduced financial charges. 

Saudi Electricity Co. reported a 16.5 percent rise in net profits for the first half of 2024, totaling SR5.5 billion, driven by increased revenue and reduced finance costs. 

Saudi Cable Co. saw an 87.7 percent drop in net profit to SR7.02 million, while SAL Saudi Logistics Services Co. reported a 70.71 percent increase in net profit to reach SR363 million due to higher revenues and cost control efforts. 

Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co. reported a net loss of SR2.46 billion for the first half of the year, widening from SR2.1 billion in the same period last year attributed to decreased sales volumes and margins. 

Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. reported a substantial increase in net profits, reaching SR119 million in the first half of 2024, marking a 75.57 percent surge compared to the same period the previous year, driven primarily by a boost in operating profits.

National Metal Manufacturing and Casting Co. experienced a net loss of SR19.17 million during the first six months of the year. This represents a deterioration from the SR12.46 million loss recorded in the corresponding period of 2023. The increased loss is attributed to a decline in sales of axle, spare parts, and casting products, as well as a reduction in the average selling price of drawn wire products.

Riyadh Cement Co. achieved net profit of SR134 million in the first half of 2024, a 6.22 percent increase from the same period last year due to higher sales prices and increased revenues, despite rising Zakat expenses.

On Wednesday, the Dubai Financial Market rose by 1.45 percent, while the Abu Dhabi Exchange increased by 1.05 percent. 

The Qatar Stock Exchange gained 0.28 percent, the Bahrain bourse edged up by 0.09 percent, and the Kuwait bourse advanced by 0.84 percent. 

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King Abdulaziz Port sets record with 20,645 containers handled on single ship

King Abdulaziz Port sets record with 20,645 containers handled on single ship
Updated 07 August 2024
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King Abdulaziz Port sets record with 20,645 containers handled on single ship

King Abdulaziz Port sets record with 20,645 containers handled on single ship

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector is experiencing significant expansion, highlighted by the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam achieving a milestone in container handling.

The port recently set a new record by managing 20,645 standard containers on a single vessel, the Cosco Shipping Aquarius 036E. This achievement underscores the port's crucial role in supporting trade movement and the logistics sector.

This development aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy’s goals to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting three continents. It also reflects the success of the Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, in enhancing port efficiency and strengthening the Kingdom’s ties with global markets, thereby supporting national exports.

Ongoing infrastructure improvements at King Abdulaziz Port include the recent addition of 21 coastal and bridge cranes, as part of a development plan backed by SR7 billion ($1.86 billion) in investment from commercial support contracts with Saudi Global Ports Co., a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund.

A landmark contract with the Chinese company SANY will see the supply of 80 electric trucks to the port, marking the largest single contract for such vehicles ever signed by the Chinese firm.

These enhancements aim to boost the port’s competitive edge and confirm its international status in maritime transport and logistics. King Abdulaziz Port, equipped with advanced facilities, has also reached notable container handling records, including 292,612 standard containers in May.

In March, Mawani announced a new shipping service connecting Dammam to East Asia, linking the port to Shanghai, Xiamen, Dachan Bay, and Qingdao in China, as well as Busan in South Korea, Klang in Malaysia, Sohar in Oman, and Khor Fakkan in the UAE.

This service further enhances the port’s strategic position as the Kingdom’s main port on the Arabian Gulf, linked to the Riyadh Dry Port by rail, and a key transit point for goods to the eastern and central regions of Saudi Arabia.


UAE banks’ savings deposits up 8.4% to reach $80.2bn

UAE banks’ savings deposits up 8.4% to reach $80.2bn
Updated 07 August 2024
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UAE banks’ savings deposits up 8.4% to reach $80.2bn

UAE banks’ savings deposits up 8.4% to reach $80.2bn

RIYADH: The UAE banking sector has demonstrated growth and stability in recent months. According to the latest data, the total value of savings deposits held by banks surged by 8.4 percent year on year, reaching 294.66 billion dirhams, equivalent to approximately $80.2 billion.

Of these deposits, 247.49 billion dirhams were held in local currency, while 47.17 billion dirhams were in foreign currencies.

This upward trend in savings deposits continued with a 1.68 percent increase from April, when the total amount stood at 289.78 billion dirhams. In addition, the value of time deposits saw a remarkable rise of 17 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 842.98 billion dirhams. Demand deposits also experienced substantial growth, climbing by more than 10 percent year-on-year to 1.04 trillion dirhams.

The banking sector’s net international reserves saw a notable surge of 29 percent, totaling 1.23 trillion dirhams by the end of May. This total includes 763.88 billion dirhams held by the Central Bank of the UAE and 472.68 billion dirhams held by other banks operating in the UAE. In conjunction with this, CBUAE’s gold reserves grew by 19.7 percent year on year, reaching 20.61 billion dirhams. The gold reserves also saw a 1.3 percent increase in May compared to April.

Transaction volumes through the UAE Funds Transfer System also experienced growth. By the end of May, the total value of transactions rose to 7.9 trillion dirhams, marking a 17 percent increase from the same period in the previous year. This total includes 4.96 trillion dirhams in interbank transfers and 2.93 trillion dirhams in transfers between bank customers. Additionally, the value of cheques cleared using the Image Cheque Clearing System reached 544.4 billion dirhams by the end of May.

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Arab oil and gas sector attracted investments worth $406bn over 22 years: report

Arab oil and gas sector attracted investments worth $406bn over 22 years: report
Updated 07 August 2024
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Arab oil and gas sector attracted investments worth $406bn over 22 years: report

Arab oil and gas sector attracted investments worth $406bn over 22 years: report
  • US emerged as the leading investor, with 85 projects representing approximately 14 percent of the total.

RIYADH: Arab nations have attracted $406 billion in investments from 356 foreign and regional companies in the oil and gas sector over the past 22 years, according to recent data from the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corp., also known as Dhaman.

During this period, which spans from January 2003 to May 2024, the region has seen the execution of 610 projects.

The US has emerged as the leading investor, with 85 projects representing approximately 14 percent of the total. In terms of investment costs, Russia has taken the lead, contributing $61.5 billion, which constitutes about 15.2 percent of the total investment.

The Middle East remains the largest holder of proven oil reserves globally. As of 2023, it accounts for approximately 55.5 percent of the world’s known oil reserves, according to the global statistics platform Statista. However, the region’s share has declined from nearly 63 percent in 1960 to less than 56 percent by 2020.

Future projections indicate a continued decline in proven oil reserves in the Arab region. By 2024, reserves are expected to drop to 704 billion barrels, or about 41.3 percent of the global total. This figure is anticipated to decrease further by 7 percent to 654.5 billion barrels by 2030. Additionally, proven natural gas reserves in the region are forecasted to reach approximately 58 trillion cubic meters, accounting for 26.8 percent of the global total. This figure is expected to decline by 7.5 percent to 53.53 trillion cubic meters by 2030.

Despite these anticipated reductions, the production of crude oil, compressed gas, and other liquids in Arab countries is projected to increase. Production is expected to rise by 6.4 percent to 28.7 million barrels per day in 2024, with an anticipated increase to around 33 million barrels per day by 2030.

Dhaman, headquartered in Kuwait, provides guarantee services against commercial and non-commercial risks in Arab countries and is owned by the governments of Arab states along with four Arab financial institutions.