Latest news with #ATRC
Trade Arabia
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Trade Arabia
Abu Dhabi to host Games of the Future 2025 in December
Phygital International, the global governing body for the Games of the Future (GOTF), has announced Abu Dhabi as the Host City for the Games of the Future 2025, taking place from December 18 to 23. Bringing together cutting-edge innovation and elite competition, the Games of the Future will transform Abu Dhabi into the epicenter of phygital sport and feature a dynamic fusion of physical athleticism and immersive digital gaming. The multi-sport event includes a variety of ground-breaking phygital disciplines, including Phygital Football and Phygital Shooter, as well as tech sports and esports. Each phygital discipline sees athletes first compete in a digital version of their sport, followed by competing in the same sport in real-life. Final results are determined by combining performance across both stages - blending the physical and virtual into one seamless competitive experience. Aspire, the driving force behind grand challenges and global competitions for Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), is appointed as the UAE Delivery Authority. In this role, Aspire will lead the delivery of the event's innovation agenda, ensure alignment across multiple stakeholders, and coordinate funding frameworks with government partners and sponsors. Ethara, the region's leading live event management organisation, will serve as the Event Delivery Partner, leading end-to-end execution including venue operations, logistics, and fan experience. In addition, Ethara will drive event promotion and play a key commercial role by securing sponsorships and partnerships to support the event's success. The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) has been confirmed as the official venue, providing a world-class stage for the full spectrum of phygital sporting competitions and fan experiences. 'We're thrilled that Abu Dhabi will welcome thousands of phygital athletes, clubs, and fans for the Games of the Future 2025,' said Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International. 'With its bold vision for sport and technology, the UAE is the ideal stage for this groundbreaking event. Since the inaugural Games, phygital sports have grown into a global movement, and this year's edition promises to be our most exciting yet.' Stephane Timpano, CEO of Aspire said: 'As the UAE Delivery Authority, ASPIRE is proud to help shape the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 - a global platform where sport, technology, and imagination converge. From AI-powered mobility to immersive digital experiences, Abu Dhabi is where innovation meets impact. We look forward to welcoming the world to ADNEC this December for an event that will inspire the future of sport and technology.' In addition to elite competitions, the event will feature virtual reality immersive fan engagement zones, cultural activations, and technology showcases. The inaugural edition of the Games of the Future, saw over 2,000 athletes from more than 100 countries take part, broadcast to global audience, and attracting over 300,000 spectators and fans.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Science
- Zawya
The Technology Innovation Institute develops new drone technology to detect hidden water leaks from the sky
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a leading global scientific research center and the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has introduced a new application of its advanced drone-borne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). This radar system uses high-frequency radio waves to create detailed, high-resolution images of the ground, to detect underground water leaks in urban and remote areas without excavation and ground removal. The announcement was made at the World Utilities Congress (WUC) 2025, underscoring the event's role in spotlighting innovative solutions for infrastructure and water security. Building on its multi-frequency imaging capabilities, this new application of TII's SAR system leverages P-, L-, and C radar signals– each one selected for its distinct advantages. P-band enables deeper subsurface penetration, L-band detects subtle fluctuations in soil moisture, and C-band provides high-resolution imaging of surface changes. Combined, these signals support the detection of anomalies and disturbances that may indicate underground water leaks, enhancing early intervention efforts in both urban and natural environments. Previously validated for archaeological and infrastructure use, the system is now optimized for sandy environments to detect leaks at depths of up to 40 meters, enabling utilities to identify and mitigate water losses from underground pipelines. This approach introduces a more efficient and sustainable way to monitor infrastructure conditions. Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said: 'This latest application of our SAR platform reinforces its versatility in tackling real-world challenges. By enabling non-invasive detection of water leaks, we'll be able to equip utility providers with intelligence that allows early detection of water leaks, helping to conserve one of the world's most vital resources.' By identifying leaks early and accurately without the need for excavation, utilities can significantly reduce water loss, lower maintenance costs, and avoid expensive infrastructure damage. This proactive approach not only extends the lifespan of pipeline networks but also supports more efficient resource management, delivering long-term savings for governments, municipalities, and utility providers alike. Dr. Felix Vega, Chief Researcher, Directed Energy Research Center (DERC), said: 'SAR's effectiveness depends on how well we can extract signal from noise, especially in complex environments like sandy terrains. Our latest work focused on enhancing backscatter analysis and coherence metrics to improve subsurface anomaly detection. This has allowed us to push the limits of airborne radar performance in ways that weren't possible even a year ago.' Compared to conventional sensors, TII's SAR solution provides broader coverage, higher resolution, and consistent performance across various terrains and weather conditions. With its scalable architecture and modular drone integration, the platform is suitable for use by urban utilities, desert infrastructure operators, and sectors such as agriculture and disaster response. As the UAE strengthens its national water security strategy, this technology arrives at an important time. By reducing water losses due to leakages, the SAR platform contributes to operational efficiency and supports climate resilience and sustainable resource management, which are goals aligned with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 commitments. ABOUT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION INSTITUTE (TII): The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is the dedicated applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). TII is a pioneering global research and development center that focuses on applied research and new-age technology capabilities. The Institute has 10 dedicated research centers in advanced materials, autonomous robotics, cryptography, AI and digital science, directed energy, quantum, secure systems, propulsion and space, biotechnology, and renewable and sustainable energy. By working with exceptional talent, universities, research institutions, and industry partners from all over the world, TII connects an intellectual community and contributes to building an R&D ecosystem that reinforces the status of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a global hub for innovation. For more information, visit
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE: More Arabic AI models needed to preserve cultural identity, says UAE official
As the global AI race heats up, the UAE is making a strategic push to ensure that the Arabic language isn't left behind. A top official at the 23rd Arab Media Summit (AMS) in Dubai stressed the urgent need for more Arabic-focused artificial intelligence models to safeguard cultural identity and empower future generation. 'The integration of Arabic into AI isn't optional , it's essential for preserving who we are,' said Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE and Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University. 'Language is not just a means of communication, it's the environment of thought. If we want our future generations to retain their cultural identity, Arabic must be embedded in our AI systems and educational tools.' Earlier this month, the UAE launched a new Arabic language AI model. Falcon Arabic, developed by Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), that aims to capture the full linguistic diversity of the Arab world through a high-quality native (non-translated) Arabic dataset. This year's three-day summit, which began in Dubai on Monday, will bring together top media figures, policymakers, and cultural influencers from across the Arab world and beyond, to discuss challenges and transformations in the media and education sectors. Cultural bridges Nusseibeh, a key figure in the establishment of major Western academic institutions in the UAE such as Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and New York University Abu Dhabi, emphasised that the goal was never to import foreign models blindly, but to create cultural bridges. 'The idea behind bringing global universities here was to expose Arab youth to global education while preserving their identity,' he explained. 'French was the language of Sorbonne, English for the American University, but the cultural environment has always remained Arab.' Elias Bou Saab, Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament and Executive Vice President of the American University in Dubai, who took the stage in the session with Nusseibeh, added: 'Western institutions in the UAE should be seen as bridges, not branches,' he said. ' The UAE model proves you can adopt international standards without compromising your roots.' Both Nusseibeh and BouSaab stressed the urgency of anchoring modern education in Arabic language and culture. 'In this digital age, it's easy for young Arabs to become detached from their heritage,' Nusseibeh warned. 'It is the responsibility of parents, educators, and policymakers to ensure that Arabic remains central, even in tech-driven educational environments.' Leading in gamification, digial storytelling Highlighting the rapid evolution of media education in the country, Bou Saab noted that universities in the UAE are taking the lead in fields like gamification and digital storytelling. 'The American University in Dubai, in partnership with the University of Southern California, was among the first to introduce gaming into media studies,' he said. He added that today's students are not just consuming content, they're creating it. 'With AI and digital platforms, anyone can become a content creator. That's why our curricula must adapt to teach ethical responsibility, fact-checking, and cultural context.' The UAE's early investment in culture and education has made it a regional model for transformation. 'When Sheikh Zayed founded UAE University in 1976, some advisors told him it wasn't a priority,' Nusseibeh recalled. 'Today, it ranks among the top universities in the Arab world, and is on its way to breaking into the global top 200.' With over 80,000 graduates now contributing across the public and private sectors, UAE University reflects the country's broader vision: to blend global excellence with Arab authenticity. 'In everything from the Louvre Abu Dhabi to Sorbonne University to the Falcon AI model, the UAE is showing the world that cultural confidence and global ambition are not mutually exclusive,' said Nusseibeh.
Al Etihad
24-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute launches two new AI models
24 May 2025 09:32 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The UAE's Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has unveiled two major AI advancements: Falcon Arabic, the first-ever Arabic language model in the Falcon series - now the best-performing Arabic AI model in the region - and Falcon H1, a new model that redefines performance and portability through a new architectural the small-to-medium size category of AI models (30 to 70 billion parameters), Falcon H1 outperforms comparable offerings from Meta's LLaMA and Alibaba's Qwen, enabling real-world AI on everyday devices and in resource-limited announcement was made during a keynote address by Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President and Secretary General of ATRC, at the recently concluded Make it in the Emirates event in Abu on top of Falcon 3-7B (7-billion-parameter), Falcon Arabic is one of the most advanced Arabic AI models developed to date. Trained on a high-quality native, non-translated Arabic dataset spanning Modern Standard Arabic and regional dialects, it captures the full linguistic diversity of the Arab to the Open Arabic LLM Leaderboard benchmarks, Falcon Arabic outperforms all other regionally available Arabic language models, reinforcing its leadership in sovereign, multilingual AI. It ranks as the best-performing Arabic model in its class, matching the performance of models up to 10 times its size, proving that smart architecture can outperform the newly launched Falcon H1 model is designed to dramatically expand access to high-performance AI by reducing the computing power and technical expertise traditionally required to run advanced systems. The announcement builds on the success of TII's Falcon 3 series, which ranked among the top global AI models capable of operating on a single graphics processing unit (GPU), a major breakthrough that enabled developers, startups, and institutions without high-end infrastructure to deploy cutting-edge AI, affordably."We're proud to finally bring Arabic to Falcon, and prouder still that the best-performing large language model in the Arab world was built in the UAE," Faisal Al Bannai on Falcon H1, he said, "Today, AI leadership is not about scale for the sake of scale. It is about making powerful tools useful, usable, and universal. Falcon-H1 reflects our commitment to delivering AI that works for everyone – not just the few."Falcon-H1 continues to support European-origin languages, and for the first time, has scalable capability to support over 100 languages, thanks to a multilingual tokenizer trained on diverse datasets. Smarter, Simpler, and More InclusiveFalcon-H1 was developed to meet the growing global demand for efficient, flexible, and easy-to-use AI systems. Named 'H' for its hybrid architecture combining the strengths of Transformers and Mamba, it enables significantly faster inference speeds and lower memory consumption, while maintaining high performance across a range of benchmarks "We approached Falcon-H1 not just as a research milestone but as an engineering challenge: how to deliver exceptional efficiency without compromise," said Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII.'This model reflects our commitment to building technically rigorous systems with real-world utility. Falcon isn't just a model; it's a foundation that empowers researchers, developers, and innovators, especially in environments where resources are limited but ambitions are not," she Falcon-H1 family includes models of various sizes: 34B, 7B, 3B, 1.5B, 1.5B-deep, and 500M. These models offer users a wide range of performance-to-efficiency ratios, allowing developers to choose the most appropriate model for their deployment scenarios. While the smaller models enable deployment on constrained edge devices, the flagship 34B model outperforms like-models from Meta's LlaMa and Alibaba's Qwen on complex tasks."The Falcon-H1 series demonstrates how new architectures can unlock new opportunities in AI training while showcasing the potential of ultra-compact models," explained Dr. Hakim Hacid, Chief Researcher at the AI and Digital Science Research Center at TII."This fundamentally shifts what's possible at the smallest scale, enabling powerful AI on edge devices where privacy, efficiency, and low latency are critical. Our focus has been on reducing complexity without compromising capability," he model in the Falcon-H1 family surpasses other models that are twice its size, setting a new standard for performance-to-efficiency ratios. The models additionally excel in mathematics, reasoning, coding, long-context understanding, and multilingual tasks. International ImpactFalcon models are already powering real-world applications. In partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Falcon has supported the development of AgriLLM, a solution that helps farmers make smarter decisions under challenging climate conditions. TII's Falcon ecosystem has been downloaded over 55 million times globally, and is widely regarded as the most powerful and consistently high-performing family of open AI models to emerge from the Middle East many AI models focus on narrow consumer use cases, TII has prioritised building foundational models that can be adapted to meet the demanding needs of industry, research, and public good, without compromising on accessibility. These models are designed to be applied across a variety of real-world scenarios, remaining accessible, resource-efficient, and adaptable to different environments. All Falcon models are open source and available on Hugging Face and under the TII Falcon License, an Apache 2.0-based license, which promotes responsible and ethical AI development. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
22-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
ATRC showcases UAE's AI prowess at MIITE 2025
23 May 2025 00:10 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Reaffirming the UAE's leadership in the global AI landscape, the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) showcased the nation's technological capabilities at this year's Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) event, presenting a diverse array of innovations — from advanced AI models to autonomous the UAE's overarching R&D authority, the ATRC drives the nation's ambitions by identifying, developing, and deploying the science, intelligence, and transformative technologies needed to achieve them, the team told Aletihad on the sidelines of the year, it launched Falcon Arabic, the region's most advanced Arabic AI model, and Falcon-H1, a high-performance model that runs on everyday devices.'From sovereign AI to autonomous drones to stealth materials and energy-saving coatings, we are turning national ambition into visible, scalable outcomes; reinforcing that the UAE has arrived on the global innovation stage,' the ATRC told Aletihad. AI71 in Spotlight Among the subsidiaries the council highlighted at MIITE is AI71, an AI company that builds cutting-edge, enterprise-level applications — from AI-driven assistants to healthcare and construction products help organisations analyse data, conduct research, and streamline communication, among others, so they can effectively support their clients and create to Aletihad, Chiara Marcati from the company's AI Advisory & Business team elaborated on AI71's tech showcase, including its two flagship products, ASK71 and CONS71."ASK71 is our enterprise orchestration engine. It helps organisations locate their data, act on it, automate workflows, and orchestrate operations," Marcati on the other hand, is a one-stop AI-powered platform for the construction industry, she said. 'It handles everything from AI-driven planning to compliance checks, digital twins, and remote monitoring through IoT and satellite imagery."These two products are backed by in-house AI capabilities. Bigger projects are in the pipeline as AI71 forged partnerships with TII and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The collaboration combines AI71's enterprise solutions with TII's R&D, and AWS' cloud infrastructure to spur AI innovation, enhance privacy, and nurture talent. The strategic partnership 'spans R&D, co-developing products, creating go-to-market strategies, and launching 'AI-in-a-box' solutions for governments and enterprises', Marcati said. Besides developing cutting-edge solutions, AI71 rolls out initiatives to support startups and boost talent development. 'We are actively partnering with universities, accelerators like AWS and MBZUAI, and mentoring startups. We are deeply involved in nurturing the local ecosystem,' Marcati said. Ethical responsibility is also central to AI71's mission. "Responsible AI is not just a buzzword for us. We have integrated it into our engineering process with dedicated roles and a clear set of guardrails. We conduct quarterly reviews at the leadership level and bring these discussions to our company-wide town halls." AI71 echoes the broader push of ATRC to develop technologies not only for the UAE but for the world. The council accelerates industrial growth by performing applied R&D and validating technologies — making sure the innovations are ready for industrial large-scale, real-world use. 'ATRC is a dynamic R&D ecosystem designed to turn scientific discovery into sovereign capability for the intelligence era, and that capability translates to long-term industrial strength,' the council's spokesperson told Aletihad. Boosting National Talent Developing the next generation of tech leaders is another key mission for ATRC. The goal is to cultivate Emirati engineers who not only engage with advanced technologies but also learn to create and innovate them. 'Through our NexTech programme, we have placed students at world-leading institutions like CalTech, Yale, and Manchester to embed them in frontier research. At home, we are scaling coding initiatives in public schools, training over 1,000 students in Python this year alone.' The support goes beyond education, it added. 'Our R&D platforms, like the UAE Research Map, are expanding access to research capabilities and enabling young innovators to exchange knowledge with local experts.' These platforms do not just connect, they offer the opportunity to contribute to the scientific community, build expertise, and ultimately become thought leaders in science and advanced technologies, the ATRC said. 'From Falcon to quantum breakthroughs, that's how we turn curiosity into capability.
