Microsoft is helping the United Arab Emirates(UAE) government achieve its vision of becoming a leader in AI. By partnering with its National Program for Artificial Intelligence to launch the AI Challenge Program initiative.
The AI Challenge Program is to accelerate the adoption of AI technology in the country. The UAE government led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, sees AI as a pillar of its future strategies. Using artificial intelligence(AI) to shape the country’s development for the next fifty years. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed calls AI the “catalyst for the growth of global markets and new economic sectors“.
Microsoft will be supporting government organizations in leveraging AI technologies to address real life business challenges. While building strong local Emirati AI talents, shares Sayed Hashish, Microsoft UAE General Manager.
The Microsoft general manager signed the partnership with UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, at an AI expert retreat in Dubai.
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Microsoft is extending its global student competition program Imagine Cup to younger students with new Imagine Cup Junior competition. The new competition will target secondary school students between the ages of thirteen to eighteen globally.
Microsoft says Imagine Cup Junior competition will help students learn about technology and build 21st century skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. While coming up with ideas for improving the world around them. The first edition will focus on Artificial Intelligence and introducing the students to Microsoft’s AI for Good initiatives.
Microsoft VP Education, Anthony Salcito says “we believe the future is in the hands of students around the world. Who are increasingly driven by a sense of purpose and want to have a positive impact on the world and their communities“.
The goal of the competition is to create excitement and energy among students and educators Microsoft says. By giving them the opportunity to use Artificial Intelligence to solve real-world problems. Unlike the other, the Junior competition is only opened to schools and instructor led clubs. To participate in the competition an educator or instructor will need to register the institution for the Contest.
Students and educators do not need to have prior knowledge of AI. Microsoft has created a host of materials, including templates and AI resource guides to help learn from scratch. The lesson guides include modules on Fundamentals of AI, machine learning and AI applications in real life.
Submissions for team projects will be open from February 3, 2020 and close April 17, 2020.
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Global AI Bootcamp is here in Ghana. Interested in learning about artificial intelligence(AI), and Microsoft Azure? Then the Global AI Bootcamp presents that opportunity. Join others learners worldwide in the one day, free event at a local meetup near you.
The Global AI Bootcamp is a free one-day event. Organized by local communities all over the world that are passionate about Artificial Intelligence on the Microsoft stack. The next event takes place on the 14th of December 2019 on venues all over the world, supported by Microsoft.
There are three meetups taking place in Accra. Know of others we haven’t included? Share them with us.
Don’t forget to join the communities for updates on future events.
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Microsoft participates in Artificial Intelligence Week Middle East (AIWEEKME) 2019 showcasing the power of Microsoft AI (Artificial Intelligence).
The 2nd edition of AIWEEkME took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Bringing together an ecosystem to understand how AI can transform their industries. Helping business leaders understand why their organizations need to take the AI journey was one goal of the event.
Microsoft Gulf at Artificial Intelligence Week Middle East
Microsoft’s booth at the exhibition area showcased some of the many capabilities in technology the company boasts of in AI.
Khaled El Shabrawy, UAE Public Sector Government Cloud Solutions Executive at Microsoft, joined government leaders on the keynote panel. Sponsored by Microsoft, the keynote panelists shared insights on the topic, Towards an AI-powered society. Talking about what it takes to govern and control AI, as well as the industries that really need it.
Azure Business Group Lead, Microsoft Gulf, Necip Ozyucel spoke with the audience on artificial intelligence in the UAE and amplifying human Ingenuity. He shared insights from Microsoft’s collaborative whitepaper with EY on AI in the region.
Microsoft also hosted a Tomorrow’s Tech, Today masterclass on AI Bots and the Internet of Things. Led by Firas Bou Fakhereddine, Microsoft Cloud Solutions Architect, Data & AI.
There were other non Microsoft led areas of discussion during the event. They include smart cities for todays tech savvy citizens, revolutionizing the delivery of city services and the Future Impact of AI on Cyber Crime.
Let’s think differently and use IoT to solve local problems says Jack Ngaare, MD of Microsoft Africa Development Center, Kenya site. He was sharing insights on Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Internet of Things(IoT) during keynote address at the third East Africa IoT and AI Summit.
Speaking to delegates at the conference he emphasized the need to focus on the problems Africa has and be more deliberate about solving these problems using such emerging technologies.
Let’s think differently and use IoT to solve local[Africa] problems
He asked “What problems do we have? What are the focus areas and what are the simple solutions?
40% of farm produce in Kenya goes to waste, talking about use cases of IoT in the East Africa region. IoT can help solve some of agriculture’s most vexing challenges. By helping farmers connect fields and herds, reduce risks, streamline operations as well as increase yield. IoT technology and data driven agriculture Jack says is one answer to solving the agriculture challenge.
Microsoft research scientists are testing Farmbeats; a data driven solution which help farmers improve their yields and lower costs in Kenya. Microsoft plans to later scale Farmbeats across Africa.
