Over the past years, Artificial Intelligence has become one of the fastest-growing and more popular technologies in the tech sector. The success of systems like DALL·E 2 and ChatGPT have prompted tech giants like Microsoft to pour billions of dollars into AI-focused startups, while also rekindling discussion around its ethics.
On February 7th, tens of thousands of people will descend on Saudi Arabia to participate in DeepFest, which will be co-located with LEAP. Self-described as the “premier meeting place for the global Artificial Intelligence ecosystem,” DeepFest will see over 100 experts and exhibitors share the latest developments in AI with the world, as well as see the Saudi government unveil its latest AI initiatives and vision.
The Saudi Federation for Cyber Security, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP) and Informa PLC are the two organisations behind the conference, having announced their “Tahaful” joint venture back in November 2022. The initiative seeks to expand the nation’s portfolio of global events to drive inbound investment and generate international trade in areas like real estate, food, pop culture, beauty, and of course, technology.
“Technology and innovation have enormous potential to transform economies and societies. We live in a time where you either leap or be left behind,” said Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha. “We are proud to host LEAP to help the region lead and leapfrog with technology and innovation.”
Top experts in AI have already confirmed their participation in the conference, including NVidia’s AI Technology Centre Global Head Simon See, Google’s Chief Data Scientist Saket Kumar, South Korea’s former Ambassador for Science Technology & Innovation, IBM’s Vice President of Ethics & Policy Betsy Greytok, and Serial Entrepreneur & AI Academic Dr Abdalla Kablan.
We are at a pivotal crossroads in the long history of AI,” says Dr Kablan.
“Technologies such as AI, machine learning, blockchain and VR/AR are converging at a rapid rate and new economies will be created. Conservatively put, if e-commerce has doubled the world’s economy in the past 20 years, we are now looking at a situation where things like the metaverse, DeFi, and new emerging applications will potentially quadruple the global economy. The opportunities for economic growth will be unfathomable, as this is literally creating a new world where users will interact, transact, own, exchange and share economic value in a virtual reality setting. Saudi Arabia and the gulf region are very well positioned to be at the forefront of this global digital shift. With a strong vision for 2030 that names the thriving economy as a main pillar for the near future, I believe that the kingdom is in an incredibly exciting situation to stand out globally as a leader in the technology sector. Events like LEAP serve as a great platform to amplify such a message and ambition,” he added.
Having lived most of his life in Europe, Dr Kablan is of Arabian origin and has become one of the most prominent and influential experts in the AI and Fintech industries. This success comes not only from having built and exited multiple tech companies and published several articles in some of the most respected academic journals but also from being the mind and investor behind some very disruptive startups in the industry.
Wyzer, a fintech startup combining AI and blockchain, is one of Dr Kablan’s latest successes. A company that has effectively changed how many experts and organisations think about AI, Wyzer was acquired by a NASDAQ Nordic listed company has devised an intelligent way of putting processes before AI, which according to Dr Kablan is not only different that what most companies in the industry do but also solves one of the flaws preventing AI from living to its full potential.
“In general, the road towards achieving wisdom is a five-step process. You start with data, processed data becomes information, and information evolves into knowledge. Knowledge then forms into understanding, and with processing, application, and learning understanding becomes wisdom,” Dr Kablan told the Khaleej Times. “When it comes to AI we are still in step 3, which is knowledge, and we still have a long way for machines to achieve true wisdom.”
With Deepfest putting local AI experts and entrepreneurs like Dr Kablan in the spotlight of the AI industry, the conference represents a unique opportunity for the region. Not only have local governments been very vocal about their intention to play an active role in the growth of the AI industry but so have investors and entrepreneurs.
Image credit: Dr Abdalla Kablan. Courtesy of DELTA Summit.
