Microsoft has announced dates for its premier event for developers. Build 2019 event will take place May 6th to 8th at the Washington State Convention center, Seattle Washington. Microsoft will open registration starting tomorrow 27th February 2019.
With an invitation that reads “Come experience the latest technologies and imagine new ways to create solutions“. The developer focused event highlights new tools and technologies the software giants are developing. As well as changes and improvements coming in softwares. Developers also get to connect their various communities, get hands on and deep dive trainings. Consumers will get an overview or the roadmap Microsoft has for most of its tools.
Microsoft Build 2019 Invitation
” Join us in Seattle for Microsoft’s premier event for developers. Come and experience the latest developer tools and technologies. Imagine new ways to create software by getting industry insights into the future of software development. Connect with your community to understand new development trends and innovative ways to code. “
I believe as usual the conference fee will be about $2500. Microsoft opens Build 2019 event up with a call for speakers submission, a move which is new.
I’m personally not sure what big announcements to expect but looking forward to this. The theme this year reads out “Imagine, Create, Code”. We’ll keep you updated and have the live stream and updates here. Bookmark and check this out later in May.
Microsoft signs MoU with Jordan government to raise 1000 local software developers, Support emerging software startups and support MCIT ministry with AI technology adoption.
Microsoft has signed a memorandum of understanding and partnership with the Jordanian government. The partnership will see Microsoft support the Jordan ICT ministry with their ICT and AI technology adoption. It will help increase and drive digital transformation across sectors of the country.
The agreement was signed during this years World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Meeting on the side of the event, Jean-Philippe Courtois, EVP and President of Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing & Operations, met with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah of Jordan. The move is in helping Jordan’s ambition to become a tech hub in the Middle East.
The three phase MoU according to Microsoft “will build the capacity of 1,000 young local software developers. Support emerging software startups and create an e-platform to help hundreds of companies and thousands of programmers.”
Jean-Philippe Courtois shared that he “was honoured and delighted to sign an MOU with the Government of Jordan and the Crown Prince Foundation“. He said “together we will work to digitally transform the country, empowering citizens with the AI skills they need to thrive in the digital economy.”
“In line with Microsoft’s mission to empower every person on the planet, and to support the evolving youthful tech scene in Jordan. Microsoft established a new partnership and signed an MoU with the MCIT and the Crown Prince Foundation of Jordan to digitally transform the country by empowering citizens with the AI skills they need to thrive in the digital economy.”
Microsoft
The MoU was signed by Jean-Philippe Courtois and the Jordanian MCIT minister with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II witnessing the signing.
Microsoft renames its game development division to Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios will replace Microsoft studios in name moving forward. Microsoft shares this as it continues to bring its gaming platform across all devices. This means all Microsoft Studios game divisons will come under Xbox Game Studios. Microsoft Studios is Microsoft’s video game development division of 13 teams[studios].
Xbox Game Studios’ Corporate Vice President Matt Booty, shared this announcement in a post. He shares;
“At Xbox, we believe when everyone plays, we all win. It’s why we’re passionate about building a portfolio of games for players across console, PC and mobile. As we’ve expanded our focus beyond the console, the Xbox brand has also evolved from its original roots. Today, Xbox is our gaming brand across all devices, no matter how or where you want to play, or who you want to play with. In that spirit, I’m pleased to share that we are changing the name of our game development organization from Microsoft Studios to Xbox Game Studios.”
Microsoft’s game studios produce games such as Forza, Gears of war, Minecraft, Halo, etc. Positioning itself as a gaming organization, Microsoft looks forward to a great 2019 for gamers. It is also looking to bring in more exculsive and big update games.
Microsoft and Etihad Airways have in a partnership announced the first-ever in-house AI Academy in the Middle East. The Etihad AI academy powered by Microsoft will look to revolutionise the way the airline serves its customers. By upskilling its workforce and optimising operations and creating alternative revenue streams.
Ihsan Anabtawi, Microsoft Gulf Chief Operating and Marketing Officer says “We’re proud to be partners with Etihad in readying and upskilling their world-class team and organization. Which is foundational to achieving their transformation vision and digital outcomes.”
The partnership will bring free artificial intelligence training to all Etihad Airways employees with business deep dives and technical labs.
“As part of the AI Academy, all Etihad employees will be given access to an online training programme and instructor-led classes, to drive companywide AI literacy, empowering every employee to deliver more value to the company and its customers. Microsoft specialists will also conduct a series of AI business workshops and hands-on technical lab sessions to help identify business challenges that can be optimised with AI.”
Microsoft is scheduled to make two Microsoft cloud data centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai available to Middle East customers this year.
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Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
Are you interested in securing a grant for your AI project? Then this is your opportunity.
The Microsoft AI for Earth program awards grants to support projects that changes the way people and organizations monitor, model and ultimately manage earth’s natural systems.
Depending on the project need, the grants can award Microsoft Azure cloud computing resources (including AI tools) and/or data labelling services. Microsoft says “Grantees receive access to and training on Microsoft’s innovative data science, machine learning, and visualization tools to improve their work in addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, improving agricultural yields, and lessening water scarcity“
AI for Earth grants provide access to advanced Microsoft Azure Cloud computing resources. To support projects that change the way people and organizations monitor, model, and ultimately manage Earth’s natural systems.
Types of grants
Currently AI for Earth provides two types of grants. Each round, you can apply to either, or both, depending on your project needs.
Data Labeling services:
An important prerequisite for most AI projects is having an accurately labeled dataset to train your model on. Thus, we provide grants to help label key datasets in our four environmental focus areas. All datasets that are labeled through our grants program are hosted on Azure and made publicly available to other organizations and individuals for training models. The amount granted is dependent on size of datasets and difficulty of labeling.
Azure compute credits:
If you already have access to labeled dataset and are ready to start computing in the cloud and accessing Azure AI tools, this grant provides you with Azure compute credits worth $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 (depending on your project scope and needs.) By being a member of the AI for Earth grantee community, you also have access to additional resources (technical advice and support, online Azure training materials, as well as invitations to the AI for Earth Summit for networking and education opportunities).
The grant program accepts proposals on a rolling basis. It accepts environmental projects with focus areas on agriculture, biodiversity, water and climate change. Proposals are reviewed four times a year. For more information on the initiative and how to apply, visit the Microsoft AI for Earth grant page.
