Latest news with #KhalifaCity
The National
08-08-2025
- Business
- The National
Emirati school pupils hone AI skills at IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi summer camp
High school pupils took part in a rigorous energy and artificial intelligence programme in Abu Dhabi this summer, held at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology. About 50 pupils were selected from 400 who registered from schools across the Emirates for the five-day workshop held at the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus in Khalifa City this week. One of the world's top engineering colleges, IIT Delhi opened its first international campus in Abu Dhabi two years ago as part of a vision to develop a global hub for research, development and innovation in the region. The short, intensive summer programme gave pupils the opportunity to conduct experiments, gain hands-on experience in AI, apply knowledge to real-world case studies, and interact with professors and researchers in the field. 'There is so much interest in AI, but a lot of it is at the programming level or ChatGPT exercises and we wanted to provide real experience with AI,' Prof Mohammad Haider, vice-provost at IIT Delhi, told The National. 'It's exciting for the students because here they can actually design the chip and the programme. We brought a kit here called the Buddhi [intelligence] kit designed by an IIT Delhi professor specially to teach AI to school pupils.' During waste-to-wealth sessions, teenage pupils learnt about converting discarded date seeds into energy. In 3D-printing workshops, they created new designs for windmills. They focused on projects building microgrids that operate independently to generate electricity for a specific area, and learnt to balance the energy mixture with thermal, solar and renewables. 'We decided to combine hardware plus software so they are exposed to energy problems as well as AI solutions,' Prof Haider said. 'This is important because this is an energy economy that is going through a transition. We spoke about developing a multilevel perspective, about ethical choices. How will they make decisions to achieve net zero by 2050? We want to enable this young generation to be leaders in the energy industry with new technology like AI.' In one room, groups of pupils used computer simulations in a competition to effectively and quickly connect different energy sources to varying power demands from homes, factories and offices. New way of learning Of 53 high school pupils in the select summer programme, 39 were UAE citizens and part of an overall push to expose the young to new ways of learning science, technology, engineering and maths. UAE citizen Saif, 17, said the workshops helped boost his understanding of AI and sustainability. 'This has changed my thinking about the possibilities of AI and how this can be used to help the environment, there are so many possibilities,' he said. 'These courses will help me in advanced maths classes in school, it's been a lot of learning.' Syrian citizen Alaa, 17, is considering studying sustainable energy after the programme. 'This is our planet and I must try to do something to benefit the generations to come. This course has shaped me to think differently about science and how it can help people.' Lebanese citizen Sameer, 17, is keen to study aerospace engineering and gained insights into energy consumption. 'I learnt critical information about how we can reduce emissions,' he said. 'I want to build aeroplanes and I feel I now have a better understanding about sustainability, energy and the physics behind the things I want to do.' IIT plans to host similar programmes in the winter for pupils. The institute offers bachelors, masters and doctorate programmes with about 80 students signed up, of which more than 20 are Emirati.
The National
08-08-2025
- Business
- The National
Emirati school pupils hone AI skills in IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi summer camp
High school pupils took part in a rigorous energy and artificial intelligence programme in Abu Dhabi this summer, held at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology. About 50 pupils were selected from 400 who registered from schools across the Emirates for the five-day workshop held at the IIT Delhi-Abu Dhabi campus in Khalifa City this week. One of the world's top engineering colleges, IIT Delhi opened its first international campus in Abu Dhabi two years ago as part of a vision to develop a global hub for research, development and innovation in the region. The short, intensive summer programme gave pupils the opportunity to conduct experiments, gain hands-on experience in AI, apply knowledge to real-world case studies, and interact with professors and researchers in the field. 'There is so much interest in AI, but a lot of it is at the programming level or ChatGPT exercises and we wanted to provide real experience with AI,' Prof Mohammad Haider, vice-provost at IIT Delhi, told The National. 'It's exciting for the students because here they can actually design the chip and the programme. We brought a kit here called the Buddhi [intelligence] kit designed by an IIT Delhi professor specially to teach AI to school pupils.' During waste-to-wealth sessions, teenage pupils learnt about converting discarded date seeds into energy. In 3D-printing workshops, they created new designs for windmills. They focused on projects building microgrids that operate independently to generate electricity for a specific area, and learnt to balance the energy mixture with thermal, solar and renewables. 'We decided to combine hardware plus software so they are exposed to energy problems as well as AI solutions,' Prof Haider said. 'This is important because this is an energy economy that is going through a transition. We spoke about developing a multilevel perspective, about ethical choices. How will they make decisions to achieve net zero by 2050? We want to enable this young generation to be leaders in the energy industry with new technology like AI.' In one room, groups of pupils used computer simulations in a competition to effectively and quickly connect different energy sources to varying power demands from homes, factories and offices. New way of learning Of 53 high school pupils in the select summer programme, 39 were UAE citizens and part of an overall push to expose the young to new ways of learning science, technology, engineering and maths. UAE citizen Saif, 17, said the workshops helped boost his understanding of AI and sustainability. 'This has changed my thinking about the possibilities of AI and how this can be used to help the environment, there are so many possibilities,' he said. 'These courses will help me in advanced maths classes in school, it's been a lot of learning.' Syrian citizen Alaa, 17, is considering studying sustainable energy after the programme. 'This is our planet and I must try to do something to benefit the generations to come. This course has shaped me to think differently about science and how it can help people.' Lebanese citizen Sameer, 17, is keen to study aerospace engineering and gained insights into energy consumption. 'I learnt critical information about how we can reduce emissions,' he said. 'I want to build aeroplanes and I feel I now have a better understanding about sustainability, energy and the physics behind the things I want to do.' IIT plans to host similar programmes in the winter for pupils. The institute offers bachelors, masters and doctorate programmes with about 80 students signed up, of which more than 20 are Emirati.
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Yas Clinic launches advanced robotic spine surgery programme
Yas Clinic Khalifa City, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, has launched an advanced robotic spine surgery programme that uses an intelligent navigation system powered by artificial intelligence, marking a significant step forward in establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading hub for advanced medical care. The launch follows the successful completion of two complex procedures by the medical team on female patients in their fifties and sixties who were suffering from spinal canal stenosis and chronic pain that had impaired their mobility. The precision of the robotic intervention accelerated the patients' recovery and enabled them to return to their normal lives. Dr. Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Officer at the hospital, said the technology represents a breakthrough in minimally invasive surgery, enabling unprecedented levels of precision and safety while significantly reducing potential risks. Professor Amr El-Shawarbi, Consultant Neurosurgeon, said the system constitutes a revolution in spinal surgery by providing complete control and extreme accuracy, offering patients better prospects for safe and rapid recovery. The launch is part of the hospital's strategy to integrate cutting-edge medical solutions and expand the scope of robotic surgery to include other specialties in the future, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a regional destination for advanced surgical procedures.
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
LODD, 7X conduct first parcel delivery trial by drone in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI - The aviation technology firm LODD, and 7X, the investment holding group in trade, transport and logistics, overseeing the logistics and express delivery provider EMX, have launched the first pilot flight for autonomous drone parcel deliveries in Abu Dhabi, marking a qualitative leap in the logistics sector across the emirate. The trial falls under the strategy of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) that, with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)'s support, aims to develop and adopt smart and integrated mobility solutions in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Conducted with oversight from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Integrated Transport Centre, the initiative is part of a wider strategy to enable smart mobility solutions through ADIO's Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster. The initiative supports Abu Dhabi's efforts to localise production, develop future-ready infrastructure, and reinforce its position as a global hub for innovation and advanced industries. Omran Malek, Head of the SAVI Cluster at ADIO, said, 'ADIO is proud to champion the development and rollout of cutting-edge logistics technologies that strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a global innovation hub. This pilot is a powerful example of the kind of local partnerships and forward-thinking strategies that drive long-term economic and infrastructure value for the Emirate.' The first test flight, conducted in Khalifa City, demonstrated the viability of autonomous aerial parcel delivery. A drone transported a simulated package from a local post office to a designated drop zone using a secure winch-based delivery system. Humaid Saber Al Hameli, Director of the Aviation Transport Division at the Integrated Transport Centre, stated, 'Ensuring the safety and security of our airspace remains a top priority for the Integrated Transport Centre. We continue to advance the regulatory frameworks necessary to support the safe and effective integration of unmanned aerial systems into Abu Dhabi's wider transport ecosystem. He added that this pilot trial reflects the strength of collaboration between the public and private sectors, and represents a concrete step toward the future of smart aerial mobility in the emirate. "We are committed to providing a secure and adaptive regulatory environment that keeps pace with innovation and empowers the adoption of emerging technologies. This enhances Abu Dhabi's global competitiveness and reinforces its position as a leading hub for sustainable mobility and future-focused technologies,' Al Hameli continued. Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD, said, 'Autonomous drones introduce a transformative layer to urban delivery networks. With one operator able to manage multiple deliveries simultaneously, the system brings a new level of scalability and responsiveness to the logistics chain.' Tariq Al Wahedi, Group CEO of 7X, noted, 'This milestone reflects our continued commitment to pioneering next-generation logistics solutions that align with the UAE's vision for smart mobility. By integrating autonomous aerial technology into EMX's national logistics ecosystem, we are enhancing operational reach and speed, and building a more adaptive, future-ready network capable of meeting the evolving demands of commerce and connectivity.' The pilot marks the first phase in a broader strategy to deploy drone-based logistics services across Abu Dhabi. With progressive regulation and infrastructure readiness, the emirate is emerging as a leader in autonomous air mobility within the region.
Khaleej Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi conducts first drone parcel delivery in trial project
A drone has successfully delivered a parcel in Abu Dhabi for the first time using a winch-based system — as part of a pilot project to accelerate smart and autonomous logistics across the emirate. The landmark trial in Khalifa City integrates unmanned aerial systems into Abu Dhabi's transport ecosystem. The drone delivered a simulated package from a local post office to a drop zone demonstrating the feasibility of urban autonomous aerial delivery. The operation was backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and conducted by aviation technology firm LODD and logistics holding group 7X. 'Ensuring the safety and security of our airspace remains a top priority,' said Humaid Saber Al Hameli, Director of the Aviation Transport Division at the Integrated Transport Centre. 'This pilot trial reflects the strength of collaboration between the public and private sectors, and represents a concrete step toward the future of smart aerial mobility in the emirate.' The initiative is part of the emirate's broader strategy to enable smart mobility under the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), with support from ADIO's Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster. Regulatory oversight for the test was provided by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Integrated Transport Centre. Omran Malek, Head of the SAVI Cluster at ADIO, said the pilot demonstrated the type of forward-thinking strategies that add long-term economic and infrastructure value to Abu Dhabi. 'ADIO is proud to champion the development and rollout of cutting-edge logistics technologies that strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a global innovation hub,' he said. The pilot reflects growing efforts to localise advanced technology development and reinforce Abu Dhabi's role as a leader in future infrastructure. LODD and 7X say they will continue to work with regulators to fine-tune operational procedures and prepare for wider rollout of drone-based logistics services. 'Autonomous drones introduce a transformative layer to urban delivery networks,' said Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD. 'With one operator able to manage multiple deliveries simultaneously, the system brings a new level of scalability and responsiveness to the logistics chain.' Similarly, Tariq Al Wahedi, Group CEO of 7X, which oversees delivery provider EMX, said the milestone supports the UAE's smart mobility goals. 'By integrating autonomous aerial technology into EMX's national logistics ecosystem, we are enhancing operational reach and speed, and building a more adaptive, future-ready network.' The test flight is the first phase in a broader plan to deploy drone delivery across Abu Dhabi, aligning with regulatory efforts and infrastructure readiness to position the emirate as a regional hub for autonomous air mobility.
