Latest news with #DeepFest2025
Zawya
13-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Final Day of DeepFest 2025 explored future of AI: From foundation models to fashion, science to sports
Officials from European Tour and Formula E explored how AI is improving operations, while an emotion-driven dress was showcased on stage Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – The curtain came down yesterday on DeepFest 2025, the world's leading artificial intelligence (AI) conference, with representatives from technology heavyweights IBM and Adobe rubbing shoulders at Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham, while officials from golf's PGA European Tour, Formula E, and fashion designers focused on digital wearables. Anabelle Mander, Executive Vice President, Tahaluf, which co-organises LEAP with the Saudi Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), said: 'Over the past four days, we have heard from a range of AI experts and industry pioneers, witnessed a host of amazing innovations, and been provided a window into what lies ahead, proving once more that when it comes to future tech and AI, DeepFest is truly a global event that cannot be missed.' Screens to Greens, Golf Improving Operations Through AI Kicking off the final day was a session focused on AI in sport and how it can revolutionise operational efficiency. Michael Cole, Chief Technology Officer at the PGA European Tour, said with 45 golf tournaments in 29 countries and venues spread across the equivalent of 170 football pitches, 'connectivity is now as important as food; as important as the air we breathe'. As an example of AI's role in helping improve operations, Cole highlighted how it has simplified the prize fund payment process, transforming it from 'five days to just five clicks', as well as discussing the utilisation of a digital twin to bring fans closer to the action and better informed about what is going on during an event. The panel also included Matt Roberts, VP Business Intelligence at Formula E, who said advancements in fan engagement through AI had led to 'Galvanic Skin Response Testing', which essentially analyses viewers' hands for sweat and uses the data to better understand what fans find most and least engaging, helping shape future coverage, content, and potentially – in the case of pit-stops – even regulations. Building Trust in AI: 'Regulate Application Not Algorithm' Later in the day, AI and quantum computing took centre stage, with Ayman AlRashed, IBM's Regional Vice President, discussing transparency and regulatory frameworks. Emphasising the critical need for what he termed 'transparent, explainable AI' to build public trust, AlRashed spoke of IBM's commitment to open-source development and accountability. The conversation underscored the necessity of regulating AI applications rather than the technology itself, drawing comparisons to roads and transport rules. 'When you look at regulations in roadways, you don't regulate the tyres, you regulate the actual usage of the tyres on the cars, right? So that's what we're trying to pronounce,' AlRashed added, predicting a shift towards practical AI applications over purely foundational models in 2025. From foundational models to fashion models, the DeepFest 2025 stage also featured a discussion on the intersection of clothing and technology. Dutch designer Anouk Wipprecht showcased her spider dress, which is equipped with ultrasonic sensors and reactive legs that extend when the user's personal space is invaded, and her heartbeat dress, which visualises real-time heart rates to merge fashion with emotion-driven technology. TJ Rhodes, Senior Research Scientist at Adobe, then discussed Project Primrose, an interactive dress made of flexible, non-emissive textiles that allows a surface to display content regardless of shape or form – be it a dress, furniture, or even a building. Harnessing AI's Creativity to Rethink the Science of Drug Discovery Late in the afternoon, delegates heard from Thras Karydis, Co-Founder and CTO of Deepcure, who said AI is making significant strides in disease diagnosis and protein structure prediction, but lamented how drug discovery remains too slow. At the current pace, he said, it would take more than 400 years to explore all known therapeutic opportunities. 'I have been hearing around the conference that AI is making great advancements in the way that we diagnose disease by analysing genomics data; in the way we understand products such as AlphaFold from Deepmind that predicts protein structures using AI,' he said. 'Every year, we discover roughly 20 new drugs, maximum, yet we have more than 8,000 proteins we know will have a therapeutic effect but are not actively exploring. To fix this, we need to harness the strength of both humans and AI to drive discovery faster.' Taking place between 9-12 February, DeepFest was co-located alongside LEAP, Saudi Arabia's award-winning global tech event, organised by Tahaluf, and powered by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). For more information, visit About LEAP: Saudi Arabia's desire to shoot for something beyond the realms of the possible presents the ultimate backdrop for LEAP. LEAP showcases the Kingdom's technology ambition on a global stage as it continues to grow as a hub connecting three continents. The figures speak from themselves as LEAP 2024 had an attendance of over 215,000, making it the most attended tech event in the world. LEAP features the inspiring tech of tomorrow across all major sectors including health, finance, energy, education, digital entertainment, transport, smart cities and more. The event is also led by a speaker faculty of globally celebrated technology innovators, focussing on the most innovative tech case studies from around the world. LEAP is not like any other tech event, from the ground up the community, stakeholders and project team are challenged every day to do something wildly creative and bold, something that reflects the seismic advances in tech adoption being seen in Saudi Arabia. About Tahaluf: Headquartered in Riyadh, Tahaluf brings together strategically important commercial communities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf region, and from around the world to a portfolio of world-class exhibitions and digital platforms. Tahaluf is a joint venture partnership between Informa PLC, the world's largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Events Investment Fund (EIF). Sela, the Saudi-owned event production company renowned for its creation of spectacular event experiences, intends to join the joint venture in the near future. In 2024 Tahaluf was responsible for the award-winning tech events LEAP & DeepFest, as well as 24 Fintech, the Global Health Exhibition, Cityscape Global, Black Hat MEA and CPHI. For more information about Tahaluf, visit
Tahawul Tech
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Tahawul Tech
Tech To Make Riyadh Epicentre of MENA Music by 2030
Just a week after watching superstars including Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce make global headlines at the 67th GRAMMY Awards, the head of the organisation behind the annual music awards jetted into Saudi Arabia to speak on the second day of DeepFest 2025, the world's leading artificial intelligence (AI) conference, and left no doubt about his expectations regarding Riyadh's role in the future of the music industry. Panos Panay, President of the Recording Academy, has been visiting the Kingdom for several years yet still finds it 'incredible' to note the transformation of the country and its capital each time he returns. Citing Riyadh Music Week and the growth of MDLBEAST, the Saudi-based entertainment company rooted in music culture, Panay made a bold prediction at DeepFest, the four-day show co-located with LEAP, the Kingdom's award-winning global tech event running until 12 February at Riyadh International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham. 'Just seeing this massive explosion of the music scene, I have absolutely no doubt that within the next five years, Riyadh will become the music epicentre of the entire region,' Panay said. 'It will be the Los Angeles of the Middle East, undoubtedly.' The Recording Academy launched the Latin Grammys 25 years ago, and Panay – who was born and raised in Cyprus – says one of his missions as president is to help music and its creators in the Middle East and North Africa gain traction globally. 'Frankly, and maybe it's because I am from the region, I don't think there is an area on the planet that is richer in heritage and in musicality than the broader Middle East and North Africa,' he said. 'There's 400 million people that speak Arabic, so it's only a matter of time before you see an Arabic star become what K Pop is – a global idiom embraced by everybody.' Panay added the likelihood is being accelerated by the development of AI and streaming platforms, which enable more creativity, wider connections, and enhanced visibility – despite 400,000 new songs being added to Spotify daily. 'That's an overwhelming amount of content, but I remember when there was no way as an artist to reach an audience unless you went through traditional routes, so technology is undoubtedly an enabler,' he added. 'And I'm sure there's entrepreneurs – hopefully at this very conference – that are working on better ways for emerging artists to better target audiences.' UN Chief Says AI Enables Us To Focus On Our 'Unique' Human Qualities Bringing together AI innovators and transformation leaders, DeepFest 2025 is featuring more than 150 speakers and 120 exhibitors, attracting an attendance exceeding 50,000 participants from around the world. The second of four days lasered in on the pros, cons, benefits, and pitfalls of AI on life and society. Lambert Hogenhout, Chief Data and AI at the United Nations, assessed the dystopian and utopian beliefs of the technology in a session focused on the near- and long-term societal impact of emerging technologies. Acknowledging that AI had allowed humans to 'become knowledgeable about any topic, in minutes', he also addressed the belief that a reliance on AI will change the way we behave, think, and feel. While admitting it is hard to predict how AI will impact society in 20-plus years, it is the impact of over the next decade that will make a difference to the way we work and live. 'Don't forget we've already had tech that has changed who we are,' he said. 'Think smartphones: They changed how we work, how we communicate, how we navigate cities.' Hogenhout challenged those with a dystopian belief of AI, and those who think it will take away our autonomy, identity and purpose: 'Think of a calendar app, for example. Think of an AI tool to help with letter writing or emails. We are getting assistance in our productivity, which frees up time. If everyone starts to do that, can you afford not to? Can you afford to be the only non-augmented human?' Tackling the belief that AI will remove our abilities to think and feel, taking away identity and purpose, the AI expert added the use of AI will allow society to instead focus on things that matter, including fulfilment, connection and inclusion. 'It will give us time to look at our unique qualities as humans – cooperation, creativity, and entrepreneurship,' he concluded. Dr Yaser Al Onaizan, CEO of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which powers the Tahaluf-organised DeepFest 2025, opened the second day of sessions, with a reassurance that AI can have real-time, real-life benefits. After years of talking about the technology, actions will speak louder than words, he said. 'To be really effective, AI should be invisible,' Al Onaizan said. 'It should allow us to take a back seat and do things on our behalf.' Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, reiterated the importance of attracting regional and global talent to the event and how AI is transforming every corner of the industry; 'The keynote sessions at DeepFest are testament to the positive impact AI is having on the tech industry, but also how transformative applications are shaping entertainment, the arts, and even humanitarian efforts. As we move into the final two days, visitors can look forward to more engaging discussions around quantum computing, how women are breaking industry barriers, and real-life case studies on how AI is revolutionising healthcare.' For more information, visit
TECHx
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- TECHx
AI Drives Riyadh's Rise as Music Epicenter - TECHx Media AI Drives Riyadh's Rise as Music Epicenter
AI Drives Riyadh's Rise as Music Epicenter Just one week after global icons Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé made headlines at the 67th GRAMMY Awards, Panos Panay, President of the Recording Academy, flew into Saudi Arabia to deliver a compelling message on the future of the music industry at DeepFest 2025. The world's leading artificial intelligence (AI) conference, which runs alongside the prestigious LEAP tech event, is taking place at the Riyadh International Exhibition and Convention Centre until February 12, 2025. Panay, who has been visiting the Kingdom for several years, shared his amazement at Riyadh's remarkable transformation. Citing events like Riyadh Music Week and the rapid growth of MDLBEAST, a Saudi-based entertainment company, he made a bold prediction for the future of music in the region. 'I have absolutely no doubt that within the next five years, Riyadh will become the music epicenter of the entire region,' Panay remarked. 'It will be the Los Angeles of the Middle East, undoubtedly.' As the President of the Recording Academy, Panay also emphasized his mission to amplify the music scene in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region globally. 'There's no area on the planet richer in heritage and musicality than the MENA region,' said Panay. 'With 400 million Arabic speakers, it's only a matter of time before an Arabic star reaches global stardom, much like K-pop has.' AI and streaming platforms are key factors accelerating this transformation. Panay believes that technological advancements are enabling greater creativity and wider visibility for emerging artists, despite the staggering number of 400,000 new songs being added to Spotify daily. 'It's an overwhelming amount of content, but technology is undoubtedly an enabler,' he noted. 'I'm sure entrepreneurs here are already working on better ways for emerging artists to connect with audiences.' DeepFest 2025 is bringing together AI innovators and industry leaders from around the world, featuring over 150 speakers and 120 exhibitors. The event, which attracted more than 50,000 participants on its second day, has been a platform for discussing the societal impact of AI and its applications in diverse industries. Lambert Hogenhout, Chief Data and AI at the United Nations, discussed AI's potential to enhance human productivity, citing examples such as AI-assisted calendar apps and writing tools. He urged those with dystopian views of AI to reconsider, emphasizing how AI could allow society to focus on creativity, fulfillment, and connection. Dr. Yaser Al Onaizan, CEO of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), also addressed the event, highlighting the real-world benefits of AI and its transformative potential. 'To be really effective, AI should be invisible,' Al Onaizan stated, underscoring the need for AI to seamlessly support human tasks. Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, reiterated how AI is reshaping various industries, from entertainment to healthcare, and how DeepFest is highlighting the positive impact of AI in these sectors. As DeepFest continues through February 12, visitors can expect more insightful discussions on quantum computing, women breaking barriers in the tech industry, and case studies on AI's role in revolutionizing healthcare. The future of music in Riyadh is just beginning, and AI is playing a crucial role in shaping it.
Zawya
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Tech to make Riyadh epicentre of MENA music by 2030, Grammy Awards President tells DeepFest 2025
Chief of Data and AI at United Nations dismisses dystopian notions and hails AI's ability to help humans focus on 'unique' qualities such as creativity and entrepreneurship Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Just a week after watching superstars including Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce make global headlines at the 67th GRAMMY Awards, the head of the organisation behind the annual music awards jetted into Saudi Arabia to speak on the second day of DeepFest 2025, the world's leading artificial intelligence (AI) conference, and left no doubt about his expectations regarding Riyadh's role in the future of the music industry. Panos Panay, President of the Recording Academy, has been visiting the Kingdom for several years yet still finds it 'incredible' to note the transformation of the country and its capital each time he returns. Citing Riyadh Music Week and the growth of MDLBEAST, the Saudi-based entertainment company rooted in music culture, Panay made a bold prediction at DeepFest, the four-day show co-located with LEAP, the Kingdom's award-winning global tech event running until 12 February at Riyadh International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham. 'Just seeing this massive explosion of the music scene, I have absolutely no doubt that within the next five years, Riyadh will become the music epicentre of the entire region,' Panay said. 'It will be the Los Angeles of the Middle East, undoubtedly.' The Recording Academy launched the Latin Grammys 25 years ago, and Panay – who was born and raised in Cyprus – says one of his missions as president is to help music and its creators in the Middle East and North Africa gain traction globally. 'Frankly, and maybe it's because I am from the region, I don't think there is an area on the planet that is richer in heritage and in musicality than the broader Middle East and North Africa,' he said. 'There's 400 million people that speak Arabic, so it's only a matter of time before you see an Arabic star become what K Pop is – a global idiom embraced by everybody.' Panay added the likelihood is being accelerated by the development of AI and streaming platforms, which enable more creativity, wider connections, and enhanced visibility – despite 400,000 new songs being added to Spotify daily. 'That's an overwhelming amount of content, but I remember when there was no way as an artist to reach an audience unless you went through traditional routes, so technology is undoubtedly an enabler,' he added. 'And I'm sure there's entrepreneurs – hopefully at this very conference – that are working on better ways for emerging artists to better target audiences.' UN Chief Says AI Enables Us To Focus On Our 'Unique' Human Qualities Bringing together AI innovators and transformation leaders, DeepFest 2025 is featuring more than 150 speakers and 120 exhibitors, attracting an attendance exceeding 50,000 participants from around the world. The second of four days lasered in on the pros, cons, benefits, and pitfalls of AI on life and society. Lambert Hogenhout, Chief Data and AI at the United Nations, assessed the dystopian and utopian beliefs of the technology in a session focused on the near- and long-term societal impact of emerging technologies. Acknowledging that AI had allowed humans to 'become knowledgeable about any topic, in minutes', he also addressed the belief that a reliance on AI will change the way we behave, think, and feel. While admitting it is hard to predict how AI will impact society in 20-plus years, it is the impact of over the next decade that will make a difference to the way we work and live. 'Don't forget we've already had tech that has changed who we are,' he said. 'Think smartphones: They changed how we work, how we communicate, how we navigate cities.' Hogenhout challenged those with a dystopian belief of AI, and those who think it will take away our autonomy, identity and purpose: 'Think of a calendar app, for example. Think of an AI tool to help with letter writing or emails. We are getting assistance in our productivity, which frees up time. If everyone starts to do that, can you afford not to? Can you afford to be the only non-augmented human?' Tackling the belief that AI will remove our abilities to think and feel, taking away identity and purpose, the AI expert added the use of AI will allow society to instead focus on things that matter, including fulfilment, connection and inclusion.'It will give us time to look at our unique qualities as humans – cooperation, creativity, and entrepreneurship,' he concluded. Dr Yaser Al Onaizan, CEO of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which powers the Tahaluf-organised DeepFest 2025, opened the second day of sessions, with a reassurance that AI can have real-time, real-life benefits. After years of talking about the technology, actions will speak louder than words, he said. 'To be really effective, AI should be invisible,' Al Onaizan said. 'It should allow us to take a back seat and do things on our behalf.' Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, reiterated the importance of attracting regional and global talent to the event and how AI is transforming every corner of the industry; 'The keynote sessions at DeepFest are testament to the positive impact AI is having on the tech industry, but also how transformative applications are shaping entertainment, the arts, and even humanitarian efforts. As we move into the final two days, visitors can look forward to more engaging discussions around quantum computing, how women are breaking industry barriers, and real-life case studies on how AI is revolutionising healthcare.' For more information, visit About LEAP: Saudi Arabia's desire to shoot for something beyond the realms of the possible presents the ultimate backdrop for LEAP. LEAP showcases the Kingdom's technology ambition on a global stage as it continues to grow as a hub connecting three continents. The figures speak from themselves as LEAP 2024 had an attendance of over 215,000, making it the most attended tech event in the world. LEAP features the inspiring tech of tomorrow across all major sectors including health, finance, energy, education, digital entertainment, transport, smart cities and more. The event is also led by a speaker faculty of globally celebrated technology innovators, focussing on the most innovative tech case studies from around the world. LEAP is not like any other tech event, from the ground up the community, stakeholders and project team are challenged every day to do something wildly creative and bold, something that reflects the seismic advances in tech adoption being seen in Saudi Arabia. About Tahaluf: Headquartered in Riyadh, Tahaluf brings together strategically important commercial communities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf region, and from around the world to a portfolio of world-class exhibitions and digital platforms. Tahaluf is a joint venture partnership between Informa PLC, the world's largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Events Investment Fund (EIF). Sela, the Saudi-owned event production company renowned for its creation of spectacular event experiences, intends to join the joint venture in the near future. In 2024 Tahaluf was responsible for the award-winning tech events LEAP & DeepFest, as well as 24 Fintech, the Global Health Exhibition, Cityscape Global, Black Hat MEA and CPHI. For more information about Tahaluf, visit
CairoScene
08-02-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
DeepFest 2025 to Showcase AI Innovations in Riyadh
Co-located with Saudi Arabia's LEAP event, DeepFest 2025 will feature AI experts, robots and advanced technology demonstrations. DeepFest 2025, an AI conference, will take place in Riyadh from February 9th to February 12th, alongside Saudi Arabia's tech event Leading Edge Advancement and Progress, (LEAP). Organised by Tahaluf and supported by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the event will feature cutting-edge AI developments across various industries. The conference will host over 150 speakers, including Aidan Gomez, CEO of Cohere, and Michael Spranger, President of Sony AI. Topics will cover AI ethics, governance, sustainability, and security, with insights from AI leaders such as Marc Raibert of Boston Dynamics and Dr. Daniela Braga of Attendees will experience AI-driven technology, including humanoid robots from UB Tech and Pudu Robotics, AI baristas, and interactive fashion tech by Dutch designer Anouk Wipprecht. Jonathan Ross, CEO of Groq, will discuss AI computing advancements, while Marcello Mari of SingularityDAO will explore AI and decentralisation with a live AI avatar interview. In healthcare, Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, CEO of Alan, will introduce 'Mo,' an AI doctor assistant integrating biomarkers for preventative care. DeepFest 2025 will also feature over 120 exhibitors, VR/AR showcases, and startup pitch sessions, providing networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.
