AWS executive says UAE-made AI models are putting the Middle East on the global tech map

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is making significant strides in the development of artificial intelligence tools, with the Falcon large language model leading the charge. According to Kevin Miller, vice president for global data centers at Amazon Web Services (AWS), the UAE’s focus on AI is positioning the country and the wider region as major players in the global technology landscape.

In an interview with The National at the AWS Summit in Dubai, Miller highlighted the potential of locally-developed AI models to cater to the specific needs of Middle Eastern users, both at the corporate and individual levels. He emphasized that the development of Falcon and other AI models in the region showcases the capabilities and technical prowess of the Middle East, putting it firmly on the map in the AI industry.

The rise of the Middle East as a technology hub is also attracting significant investment from Western countries, driven by a young and educated workforce and a growing interest in start-ups. Miller noted that there is a strong enterprise customer base in the region that is eager to transform their businesses, creating an exciting environment for technological innovation.

Falcon, developed by the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi, is a large language model that can imitate human intelligence and perform a variety of tasks such as distinguishing, reviewing, translating, forecasting, and generating new content using large data sets. The latest iteration of Falcon, Falcon 2, was introduced earlier this month to compete with models developed by tech giants like Meta, Google, and OpenAI.

In addition to Falcon, another locally-developed AI model called Jais, developed by G42 in collaboration with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Cerebras Systems, has also gained traction in the industry. Miller praised the investment in foundational research and development in AI by universities and countries, emphasizing the long-term impact of such initiatives.

The UAE’s focus on becoming a leader in the AI industry, as part of its diversification efforts away from oil, has garnered worldwide attention. Government initiatives to support the growth of the AI sector have been instrumental in attracting investment and fostering innovation in the region.

AWS, a key player in the cloud computing industry, recently announced its Amazon Q generative AI platform, signaling its commitment to advancing AI technology. The company’s expansion plans in the Middle East include the establishment of an infrastructure region in Saudi Arabia, with a significant investment of $5.3 billion and the opening of two innovation centers in the kingdom.

Overall, the UAE’s push to develop AI tools like Falcon is not only showcasing the country’s technological capabilities but also positioning the Middle East as a key player in the global AI industry. With continued investment and innovation in AI, the region is poised to make significant contributions to the future of technology.