Lebanon's AI minister says $50m can transform government and make it more accountable
Technology
In an interview with The National, former e& executive Kamal Shehadi says the money would be used to bring in a national ID system, digitise payments and help build the infrastructure required for AI
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
an hour ago
- Gulf Today
Nearly 88% global firms now have dedicated AI budgets, says report
Nearly 88 per cent of global enterprises now have dedicated budgets for Artificial Intelligence (AI), with nearly two-thirds of them spending over 15 per cent of their overall tech budgets on AI projects, a new report said on Monday. This major investment push marks a clear shift from early experimentation with Generative AI to building intelligent, goal-oriented systems known as AI agents, according to data compiled by Nasscom. Titled 'Enterprise Experiments with AI Agents - 2025 Global Trends,' the report provides a comprehensive look at how companies across the globe are preparing for the next phase of AI adoption. Sangeeta Gupta, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Nasscom, said that enterprises are at a crucial turning point. 'AI agents represent the next evolution of enterprise AI - one that requires philosophical shifts in how we view work, intelligence, and autonomy,' she said. However, she also emphasised that scaling AI systems responsibly would require strong trust, data readiness, and continuous human oversight. Based on responses from over 100 companies across 8-9 global regions and more than 10 industries, the study shows how enterprises are moving beyond passive data analysis to more active AI systems that can perform tasks and make decisions with human oversight. The report shows that businesses are strengthening their AI foundation through investments in GenAI tools, data infrastructure, and flexible processes. Many companies have already formed specialised AI teams and are working with advanced platforms, upgrading their tech setups to support the deployment of AI agents. However, despite high awareness of Generative AI, only half of the surveyed companies are fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) or foundation models for their own needs. One of the biggest highlights of the report is the growing interest in Agentic AI - systems designed to act independently while still being monitored by humans. About 62 per cent of companies are experimenting with such AI agents, mainly for internal tasks such as IT operations, HR, and finance. External uses, like customer service, are still limited, with only 31 per cent of enterprises using Agentic AI in those areas. However, looking ahead, 88 per cent of companies plan to set aside budgets specifically for Agentic AI systems in 2025. The report also reveals that most companies are being cautious. Around 77 per cent are designing Agentic AI systems with a 'human-in-the-loop' model to ensure oversight and adaptability. Only 46 per cent are testing fully autonomous agents. Manufacturing companies appear to be ahead in adoption, using AI for robotics, quality control, and other operational areas. When it comes to benefits, companies believe AI agents can help in making faster decisions and responding better to market changes, the report said. AI TOOL TO DETECT CANCER: Meanwhile, in a significant achievement for identifying neuro-degenerative diseases early, a team of US researchers has developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that helps clinicians detect brain activity patterns linked to nine types of dementia using a single and widely available scan. The tool, StateViewer, not only helped in early detection but also provided accurate diagnosis - it identified the dementia type in 88 per cent of cases, including Alzheimer's disease. It also enabled clinicians to interpret brain scans nearly twice as fast and with up to three times greater accuracy than standard workflows, according to the research, published online in the journal Neurology. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic trained and tested the AI on more than 3,600 scans, including images from patients with dementia and people without cognitive impairment. Currently, diagnosing dementia requires cognitive tests, blood draws, imaging, and clinical interviews, and yet, distinguishing conditions such as Alzheimer's, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia remains a challenge. 'Every patient who walks into my clinic carries a unique story shaped by the brain's complexity,' said David Jones, a Mayo Clinic neurologist. 'StateViewer reflects that commitment -- a step toward earlier understanding, more precise treatment, and, one day, changing the course of these diseases,' added Jones, director of the Mayo Clinic Neurology Artificial Intelligence Programme. The tool analyses a fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan, which shows how the brain uses glucose for energy. It then compares the scan to a large database of scans from people with confirmed dementia diagnoses and identifies patterns that match specific types, or combinations, of dementia. While Alzheimer's affects memory and processing regions, Lewy body dementia involves areas tied to attention and movement. Frontotemporal dementia alters regions responsible for language and behaviour. Indo-Asian News Service
Campaign ME
3 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Meet the future of radio: AI RJ Steve
Ravi Muni: The UAE is globally recognised as a hub for innovation, be it in space exploration, renewable energy, or artificial intelligence. The country's commitment to future readiness is evident in its decision to introduce artificial inteligence (AI) courses in schools, preparing the next generation for a digital-first future. In such a bold and visionary environment, it's only fitting that radio keeps pace and Channel 4 Radio Network is doing just that. 'Keeping with the UAE's tech-forward vision, Channel 4 Radio Network proudly launches 'AI RJ Steve' – the UAE's only AI radio jockey on its English station, 104.8 Channel 4 FM.' Radio thrives on immediacy, intimacy and innovation. It's one of the most agile and adaptive media platforms that constantly evolves to stay ahead of the curve. From analogue to digital, from frequency dials to mobile apps and CarPlay, radio embraces the latest technological advancements like no other. It is a medium built for the audience, shaped by their preferences and driven by their changing needs. And now, as artificial intelligence begins to shape every aspect of modern life, radio is once again ready to lead. Keeping with the UAE's tech-forward vision, Channel 4 Radio Network proudly launches 'AI RJ Steve' – the UAE's only AI radio jockey on its English station, 104.8 Channel 4 FM. With this revolutionary launch, the network once again sets a benchmark in innovation, audience engagement, and broadcasting excellence. Since its inception in 1997, Channel 4 Radio Network has continually evolved with changing media consumption habits. We were among the first commercial radio stations to offer a complete package of music, news, RJ talk, sport, business, culture and entertainment updates, appealing to both locals and expats residing in the UAE. We were the first in the region to merge traditional radio with digital interactivity, creating a seamless audio experience on-air and video experience on social media for our listeners. We also led the way as the first radio network in the UAE to launch its own app and expand beyond radio podcasting. The introduction of AI RJ Steve marks a bold leap into the next era of broadcasting where cutting-edge technology meets compelling storytelling, and where artificial intelligence transforms how audiences connect, engage and experience audio content like never before. Mohammad Jundi: Powered by advanced generative AI, Steve is designed to deliver a smarter, more interactive radio experience. A lot of attention has gone into Steve's voice, too. It has been carefully crafted to be radio-friendly, emotionally expressive and neutral in accent, making it easily understood by the multicultural audience in the UAE. Steve is built with the same passion and purpose that has kept radio thriving through generations. For a medium like radio, where content is king, the ability to consistently generate high-quality feature segments with the right delivery, modulation and energy is a game-changer. In many ways, Steve complements our human RJs, and listeners will get a glimpse of this in the Morning Show, where RJ Faris and Georgina will interact with Steve in an exclusive segment. Listeners can expect a fresh radio experience tailored to the trends and moods of the day. An AI RJ allows us to experiment with newer, more diverse narratives and innovative formats. From intelligent summaries of world events to decoding complex scientific theories in simple words, Steve will make niche topics accessible and entertaining, especially for our younger and knowledge-hungry audiences. For advertisers, AI RJ Steve opens an exciting new frontier in audio and visual branding. Steve can be programmed to deliver highly customised brand messaging, seamlessly adapting to real-time trends, listener behaviour and topical moments. What makes Steve stand out is his multi-platform potential. Branded content voiced and performed by the AI RJ can be extended across media ecosystems – from on-air radio features to podcasts, social media snippets, web platforms and even branded RJ videos for product demos and store walkthroughs. This not only enhances brand visibility but also ensures interconnected storytelling and broader reach. We're incredibly excited to share this next chapter with our listeners and advertisers. Our AI RJ is more than just a tech upgrade; it's a statement of intent. It reaffirms Channel 4 Radio Network's vision to stay ahead of the game and keep delivering innovative, listener-first content in the most engaging ways possible. The fusion of AI and Radio opens endless possibilities. Steve is our pilot project, and soon we will be launching more AI RJs on our Arabic, Hindi and Malayalam stations. The future of radio is smarter, faster, more engaging – and it's already on-air. Stay tuned. By Ravi Muni, Group Deputy CEO & Group CFO – Al Murad Group and Channel 4 Radio Network (right), and Mohammad Jundi, Network Sales Director (left), Channel 4 Radio Network.
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Zawya
Ejada signs up Huawei to boost Saudi digital infrastructure
Ejada Systems, the leading provider of digital transformation solutions in Saudi Arabia, has announced a strategic partnership with Huawei, a leading provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. The partnership aims to develop customized artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enhance the Kingdom's digital infrastructure and empower key sectors. The collaboration focuses on integrating Huawei's advanced AI computing infrastructure with ejada's sector-specific expertise in delivering tailored digital solutions across finance, government, and healthcare. The partnership builds on a strong track record of joint projects and technical integration between the two companies in the ICT sector, reflecting their shared commitment to supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and advancing a sustainable digital economy. Speaking on the occasion, ejada Systems CEO Fawwaz Abu El Nasr said: "Through this partnership, we aim to accelerate the development of localised AI solutions capable of addressing the needs of vital sectors across the kingdom." "We believe AI will be a key pillar of digital transformation, and by combining our domain expertise with Huawei's capabilities, we are positioned to deliver advanced solutions that improve service efficiency and foster innovation," he stated. This strategic agreement marks a new milestone in the ongoing collaboration between ejada Systems and Huawei, as both companies work to create tangible impact across Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure and support institutions in their journey toward smarter, more adaptive solutions, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
