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Mid East Info
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Mid East Info
Dubai AI Retreat Showcases Bold Global Visions for AI-Powered Innovation
At Dubai AI Week, Sony AI Shows how it has become an AI-first company after launching its superhuman racing AI agent. Google's research head tells AI leaders about the 'magic cycle of research' as he heralds a 'global age of research'. Dubai— A senior executive from Sony has revealed how the company launched a global AI talent recruitment drive to develop Gran Turismo Sophy—a superhuman racing AI agent that mastered the PlayStation game Gran Turismo Sport. Speaking at the Dubai AI Retreat in a session titled 'Why Innovation Starts with Mindset, Not Tech', Michael Spranger, President of Sony AI Inc, highlighted what it takes at the organisational level to achieve breakthroughs like Gran Turismo Sophy. 'When I think about transformation,' he said, 'it is really about building the infrastructure, platform, and data to enable innovation—not just for six months, but for the next five to ten years.' Spranger explained that while developing GT Sophy, Sony built an entire computational system to train agents across any PlayStation game. 'The people who developed it did not exist before. We had to go out and hire the best talent. We even overhauled Sony's entire HR and compensation policies to drive this transformation. All of this was part of making Sony an AI-first company.' He added: 'My theory of change is leading by example—driving internal momentum through landmark breakthroughs and building confidence across the company. It is a journey worth taking.' The Global Age of Research In another session titled 'Accelerating AI Innovation for Global Impact', Yossi Matias, Vice President and Head of Google Research, discussed AI's potential to solve some of the world's most pressing societal challenges. 'The opportunities ahead are immense,' he said. 'It is about advancing research, innovation, and technology, especially by opening it up to partnerships.' He introduced the concept of a 'magic cycle of research', a dynamic interplay between technological progress and real-world impact. 'We are now in a time where this cycle moves faster than ever before. What used to take years as a PhD now takes months—and the scale is only growing. I would say we have entered a true global age of research.' High-Level Roundtables on AI Enablers The Dubai AI Retreat also hosted a series of strategic roundtables. Under the theme ' Economy & Investment', the first roundtable explored how AI can enhance Dubai's economic competitiveness and attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Participants discussed strategies to boost productivity, foster AI entrepreneurship, and position Dubai as a global AI innovation hub, including ambitions to create 10 AI unicorns by 2030 across sectors such as logistics, fintech, and green energy. They also examined policy tools like tax incentives and agile regulations to support AI-driven FDI. 'Data & Governance' roundtable addressed the future of ethical AI governance, adaptive regulation, and secure data ecosystems. Discussions included cross-border data sharing, incentivising private sector collaboration, and anticipating regulatory challenges over the next decade. Held under the theme 'Infrastructure', the third roundtable highlighting Dubai's approach to sustainable AI, including investments in eco-friendly data centres, the rise of edge computing, and the infrastructure needed to meet growing computational demands. Finally, the 'Talent Development' roundtable focused on building a world-class, inclusive AI workforce while preserving cultural identity. Topics included global talent attraction, lifelong learning, and leveraging AI to promote Arabic language and cultural heritage. The AI Retreat is held on 21 April 2025 at the Museum of the Future as part of Dubai AI Week. The week-long event is organised by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), an initiative of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Dubai AI Week brings global experts, entrepreneurs, regulators, policymakers, investors, and major technology companies, to showcase Dubai's vision for the future of AI, harnessing its transformative potential in line with the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence. It seeks to empower organisations and individuals to explore the capabilities of AI across various sectors.
Gulf Business
06-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Robots, tech couture, and AI doctors: DeepFest 2025 to showcase the future in Riyadh
The future of artificial intelligence will be in focus when DeepFest 2025, a leading AI conference, returns to Riyadh from 9-12 February. Co-located with Saudi Arabia's tech event Organised by Tahaluf and supported by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), DeepFest 2025 will offer a four-day programme including AI-driven interactions, technology demonstrations, and discussions on AI's impact across various sectors, including healthtech. AI Thought Leadership in Riyadh With more than 150 speakers, including Aidan Gomez, co-founder & CEO of Cohere, and Michael Spranger, President of Sony AI, the event is expected to draw 48,000 attendees. DeepFest 2025 will feature panel discussions, demonstrations, and sessions covering AI applications in multiple industries. Experts such as Marc Raibert, Founder of Boston Dynamics; Dr. Daniela Braga, Founder & CEO of and Lambert Hogenhout, Chief of Data & AI at the United Nations' Secretariat, will discuss AI ethics, governance, sustainability, and security. Humanoid robots from UB Tech and Pudu Robotics will be present, along with automated baristas and new robotic solutions from QSS Robotics. Dutch designer Anouk Wipprecht will demonstrate interactive fashion technology, showcasing how clothing can integrate with AI. Jonathan Ross, Founder & CEO of Groq, will highlight AI computing advancements, including the AI Groqchip's architecture. Marcello Mari, Founder & CEO of SingularityDAO, will explore AI and decentralisation through a live interview with his AI avatar. AI Innovation and Applications The future of AI in healthcare will be examined by Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, co-founder & CEO of Alan, as he demonstrates 'Mo' – a Doctor AI assistant that integrates biomarkers for preventative healthcare. DeepFest 2025 aligns with Saudi Arabia's Project Transcendence initiative, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global AI hub. The event will showcase AI advancements that are shaping various industries. Michael Spranger, President of Sony AI, stated: 'At Sony AI, we focus on advancing research in robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing. DeepFest 2025 provides a platform for international collaboration and discussions on ethical AI development.' The event will also feature interactive exhibits and networking sessions with over 120 exhibitors. Attendees will experience live technology demonstrations, VR/AR showcases, and startup pitch sessions connecting entrepreneurs with investors and industry leaders. Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice-President of Tahaluf, noted: 'With AI projected to contribute significantly to the global economy by 2030, DeepFest 2025 will explore its impact across sectors, as well as critical themes such as governance and ethics. The event aims to facilitate discussions that translate AI advancements into real-world applications.'
