Latest news with #InnovateforImpact
Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Gulf Today
ITU innovation award winner Dubai Culture celebrates palm and piano
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has been honoured with the 'Innovate for Impact' award in the Smart Home/Cities category at the Artificial Intelligence for the Public Good Summit, organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations' specialised agency for digital technologies. The award recognises the Authority's pioneering efforts in applying artificial intelligence to cultural heritage preservation through the project 'AI-Enhanced Detection and Prediction at Saruq Al Hadid Archaeological Site.' Developed in collaboration with Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the project harnesses remote sensing technology, AI Applications and Geophysical Survey technology such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), magnetic surveys and high-precision mapping, to explore one of the region's most significant Iron Age sites. The research has led to the identification of over 2,500 anomalies that indicate the possibility of the presence of artifacts and features of archaeological significance. 'Receiving this award affirms our commitment to adopting forward-thinking technologies to preserve and promote our cultural heritage,' said Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture. 'By applying AI and other non-invasive methods, we not only safeguard the past but also strengthen Dubai's cultural voice on the international stage.' Muna Al Gurg, CEO of the Museums and Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture, said that 'this recognition is a reflection of our belief that heritage and innovation are not mutually exclusive, they are complementary forces. Projects like Saruq Al-Hadid allow us to lead regionally and globally in redefining cultural heritage preservation.' The collaboration with Khalifa University was instrumental to the success of the project, as the university is the original developer of the cutting-edge non-invasive surveying technology used in the study. Dubai Culture hosts a Piano Camp. Dubai Culture has also announced the second edition of its Summer Blessings event, July 25-27, as part of the Dubai Destinations summer campaign. The event aims to honour the palm harvest season and highlight the cultural and historical significance of the palm tree as a national symbol and an integral part of local tradition. The initiative aligns with the Authority's priority to safeguard both tangible and intangible heritage and to elevate its presence on the global cultural map. Hosted at Al Shindagha Museum, the largest heritage museum in the UAE, the programme will feature a variety of interactive workshops and culinary experiences, led by heritage experts. At the Traditional Food House, visitors can join a workshop on preparing 'Betheetha' - a traditional Emirati sweet made from dates, flour, and aromatic spices. Meanwhile, at the Dates Tasting Corner, guests will explore local date varieties and their use in preparing traditional Emirati dishes. They will also discover the secrets of making date syrup 'dibs' and methods for preserving it. In the Life on Land: Water, Flora and Fauna, visitors will enjoy a screening of the documentary 'Palm Harvest', which captures the communal traditions of date picking and the values of generosity and cultural legacy embedded in the practice. Simultaneously, the Turath Centre for Traditional Handicrafts, which is the educational arm of Al Shindagha Museum, will offer training on creating modern items using 'khoos.' In the Children's Pavilion, youngsters can take part in a 'Palm Frond Painting' workshop, where they will learn to create keepsakes using palm leaves. Al Shindagha Museum. In addition, Dubai Culture has allocated a dedicated space within the Visitors' Centre for a Palm Handicraft Market, showcasing a curated selection of handmade items crafted from different parts of the palm tree. The market will also feature the creative works of local artisans, entrepreneurs,and talented individuals, offering them a platform to showcase their crafts to the wider community. The Visitors' Centre will also serve as a gathering space for families to participate in the Sefafah Workshop, where they can be taught the traditional techniques of palm weaving, deepening their connection to the cultural practice. Remarking on the initiative, Abdallah Al Obeidli, Acting Manager of Al Shindagha Museum at Dubai Culture, emphasised the importance of the Summer Blessings event in strengthening the bond between future generations and the palm tree, the date harvest season, and associated traditional crafts. 'The palm tree symbolises the generosity and giving spirit of the Emirati people,' he said. 'For decades, it played a vital economic role for the people of the UAE and gave rise to many of the traditional crafts that inspired Dubai's cultural and creative industries.' He further noted that the event contributes to promoting cultural tourism. Dubai Culture has meanwhile announced the launch of the second edition of Piano Camp, held in partnership with House of Pianos. The programme aims to identify promising young musicians and offer dedicated piano instruction. The Piano Camp is part of the Dubai Cultural Grant, a key initiative under the emirate's Quality of Life Strategy. It will run from October 2025 to May 2026, selecting 50 children and teens aged 6 to 17, as well as 10 young adults aged 18 and above. Participants will study both classical and Arabic piano repertoire, building a foundation in music theory and history. The camp features hands-on sessions and masterclasses led by acclaimed local teachers and musicians. The programme includes field trips to leading institutions across the UAE, offering opportunities for knowledge exchange and helping forge connections within the cultural community. Dubai Culture invites Emirati musicians to apply. Registration opens August 1 and applications close on September 15.
Cision Canada
18-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
vivo Wins Innovate for Impact Use Case Award at the ITU AI for Good Global Summit
The recognition highlights vivo's commitment to empowering accessibility through on-device intelligence. SHENZHEN, China, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ -- vivo was honored with the "Innovate for Impact" best use case award in the accessibility category at the AI for Good Global Summit, in Geneva, Switzerland. Received on July 9, the award recognizes vivo's efforts in leveraging on-device artificial intelligence (AI) to empower accessibility with the initiative "On-Device Intelligence Empowers People with Disabilities and Smart Interaction Scenarios," which stood out among the top submissions from 32 countries. This recognition is a strong endorsement of vivo's long-standing commitment to inclusive technology and its leadership in advancing accessibility solutions globally. The AI for Good Global Summit, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with over 40 United Nations organizations, including UNIDO and UNESCO, is a leading platform for dialogue on AI, promoting international cooperation among major AI economies. Through workshops and case-study initiatives, the AI for Good Global Summit aims to facilitate the exchange of exemplary experiences and expert knowledge on the global application of AI technologies and models, ultimately improving fairness in AI. This year, the Summit's Innovate for Impact challenge awarded 51 AI-driven use cases selected from 238 submissions received from across 32 countries. At the ceremony, Mr. Wei Wei, Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology at China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and Dr. Bilel Jamoussi, Deputy Director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, jointly presented certificates to the winning companies and institutions. At the summit, Cao Yuqiong, Senior Director of Software Industry Development at vivo, delivered a keynote titled "AI Expanding Human Perception Seeing, Hearing, Understanding Everything." Cao emphasized vivo's vision of "Technology for a Better Future" and demonstrated some of the company's key accessibility innovations, including vivo Seeing and other pioneering features designed to create a fairer digital world. Since 2019, vivo has been leveraging on-device AI capabilities to create industry-leading accessibility solutions. Among these innovations are vivo Listening, which enables two-way voice-to-text communication, and the world's first "Sign Language Translator," a breakthrough in overcoming complex grammar recognition challenges. Additionally, vivo has introduced the industry's first AI visual assistance product, vivo Seeing, which pioneers a multimodal visual assistance system that provides core functions such as environment description and object localization. vivo has also developed vivo Music Scores Reader, designed for visually impaired music lovers. vivo's ongoing efforts in information accessibility have earned recognition and affirmation from reputable organizations and institutions domestically and internationally. In June 2025, vivo Voice for Hope Initiative was shortlisted as an "Outstanding Case of Technology for the Disabled" by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. At the 7th Technology Accessibility Development Conference (TADC), the initiative titled "vivo Information Accessibility: Industry Practice Driven by Large Models" was awarded the "2025 Outstanding Case of Information Accessibility." In addition, vivo is taking the lead in creating a barrier-free ecosystem empowered by science and technology. vivo's barrier-free technology is now featured in the National Barrier-Free Environment Exhibition Hall, making vivo the first technology company to provide guided tours for individuals with disabilities using smartphones in China. As part of its efforts to build an open platform for "science and technology for good," vivo has made its full-stack AI capabilities available to developers at no cost, with a particular focus on those developing barrier-free solutions. In May 2025, vivo and the China Disabled Persons Welfare Foundation held a conference on the vivo Voice for Hope Initiative - Special Action on Technology for the Disabled. During the conference, vivo announced its commitment to invest RMB 30 million over the next five years to explore innovative solutions that empower people with disabilities to live barrier-free lives. To date, vivo's products and services have reached over 500 million users in 60 countries and regions around the world, with accessibility features benefiting more than 4 million users. (END) About vivo vivo is a technology company driven by user orientation to create exceptional products, with smart terminals and intelligent services at its core. It aims to bridge the gap between people and the digital world, offering users a more convenient and personalized mobile digital life. Guided by its corporate values of 'Benfen' (staying grounded), user orientation, design-driven innovation, continuous learning, and teamwork, vivo integrates sustainable development strategies across its value chain, striving to become a healthier, enduring world-class enterprise. Headquartered in Dongguan, China, vivo taps into local talent resources and maintains an extensive R&D network spanning Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Xi'an. Its research covers a wide range of frontier areas, including 5G communication, artificial intelligence, industrial design, and imaging technology. Currently, vivo's manufacturing network (including authorized production) boasts an annual production capacity of nearly 200 million units, with sales covering over 60 countries and regions and a user base exceeding 500 million. For more corporate, brand, product, and technology updates, follow vivo's official WeChat accounts: 'vivo'. For additional media resources, high-resolution images, or videos, please visit: About ITU The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, civil society, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, drives universal connectivity and digital services, and is helping to make sure everyone benefits from sustainable digital transformation, including the most remote communities. From artificial intelligence (AI) to quantum, from satellites and submarine cables to advanced mobile and wireless broadband networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond. Learn more:
