QSTP set to host ‘AI Week’ to mark 15th anniversary – Gulf Times

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation (QF), will host the inaugural ‘QSTP AI Week 2024’ from November 24-28 at the QSTP premises.

The five-day event, which coincides with QSTP’s 15th anniversary, will offer a deep dive into advances in AI, its applications and potential, as well as encourage dialogue and collaboration around AI-driven innovation.

Al Jazeera (AJ) Media Institute, part of AJ Media Network, will be joining the event as the official media partner.

QSTP AI Week 2024 will engage technology specialists, industry leaders, innovators, and academia over a broad and diverse programme separated into expert-led masterclasses, panel discussions, practical workshops, live tech demonstrations, and inspirational talks.

Dan Jeavons, VP of Computational Science and Digital Innovation at Shell, will share insights into the future of AI and emerging trends in his keynote address on the opening day of the event. Jeavons has been a key contributor to Shell’s digitalisation programme and has been recognised for his industry-leading work in the field of digital transformation.

Under four distinct themes, ‘The Future of AI’, ‘AI Foundation Model/Technologies (Machine and Deep Learning)’, ‘AI in Applied Tech’, such as unmanned vehicles, and ‘AI in Sustainability’, the event will deepen knowledge of AI and emerging technologies and create pathways for further innovation in this area. The discussion topics include scaling AI in government services, harnessing AI to drive sustainability in urban planning and ethical challenges presented by AI.

QSTP’s flagship Ride & Pitch Competition will return with its second edition as part of the event. This edition will be open to startups (university alumni and founders with established AI-driven startups in the early stages of development), in addition to Qatar-based university students (with AI-driven business ideas in the early stages of development). Selected participants for both groups will join pitching workshops and rehearsals, as well as expert-led mentorship sessions before pitching in front of a panel of judges on a moving tram inside QF’s Education City.

An AI Hackathon, organised in partnership between QSTP, Qatar Scientific Club, and Qatar’s Ministry of Sports and Youth, will engage students at various educational levels in Qatar in exploring the role of robotics in tackling real-world environmental challenges.

Grouped into teams, the students will undertake technical challenges, such as programming robots to collect and sort waste, and to provide sustainable agricultural solutions, among others. A series of technical workshops will be held to equip participating teams with technical knowledge and skills to develop their projects. Students will present their final projects during a demo day on the final day of QSTP AI Week 2024.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the first-ever QSTP AI Immersive Experience presenting a series of groundbreaking AI-driven technologies focused on driving sustainability in various industries including transport and logistics, healthcare, marine, and automotive. Several local and international tech startups and SMEs are set to exhibit at the event, showcasing their products and providing live demonstrations that will include level-four autonomous cars.

Dr Jack Lau, president of QSTP, said: “We are beyond thrilled to deliver QSTP AI Week 2024 as part of our firm commitment to nurture the local tech landscape and strengthen Qatar’s role as a premier hub of innovation and tech development on the global stage. As we commemorate 15 years of serving as a technology gateway to the Middle East and beyond, we are eager to celebrate this milestone with the community we serve.

“We have carefully curated the event programme to offer attendees opportunities to join thought-provoking discussions, immerse themselves in trailblazing technologies and explore prospects for future collaborations. This is a unique opportunity for everyone to first-hand experience the transformative power of AI and emerging technologies that are rapidly shaping our future. We highly encourage the public to attend and engage.”

QSTP will continue to take its AI innovation and tech development agenda forward through its participation in the World Summit AI Qatar to be held in Doha from December 10-11.

For the full programme for the QSTP AI Week 2024 and registration, visit https://qstp.org.qa/ai-week-2024/