Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving field, and while we often think of giants like Chat GPT o Bard of Google, there are other nations trying to make their mark. The United Arab Emirates is one of these emerging players. Recently, a group affiliated with Abu Dhabi's ruling family presented what claims to be il most advanced artificial intelligence software in the world. His name is Jais: will he be a "threat"?
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Jais: bastion of innovation and symbol of cultural progress
Jais is not just another AI software; it's a emblem of technological progress and cultural ambition for the United Arab Emirates. In an age where artificial intelligence is often seen as the exclusive domain of Western powers, Jais represents a significant step towards democratizing the technology.
Designed as an open-source model, Jais (here the official site) was developed to be accessible to a wide range of users. This is especially notable considering that over 400 million people in the world speak Arabic. In an industry where the English language is often predominant, Jais offers a inclusive platform that takes into account linguistic and cultural diversity. This is a significant step forward, especially at a time when UNESCO has highlighted the need to promote linguistic diversity in the digital realm.
Moreover, his and gentle cosmetics open-source it could have significant implications for sectors such as education, healthcare and government. For example, it could be used to develop educational applications that they help overcome language barriers, or to create more precise medical diagnostic tools that take into account the cultural and genetic specificities of Arab populations.
The international synergy behind Jais
Jais's rise as an AI product is not an isolated event, but rather the result of one collaboration international which embodies the essence of globalization in the technology sector. This collaboration saw the participation of G42, an artificial intelligence company based in the United Arab Emirates, theUniversity of Artificial Intelligence Mohamed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi and Cerebras, a Californian company that is a leading name in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
G42 isn't just another technology company; is an entity that has already made headlines for its commitment to fighting COVID-19, using AI to analyze data and improve virus containment strategies.
Read also: Artificial intelligence is here to create jobs
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, for its part, is the first university in the world dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence, and represents an epicenter of research and development in the Middle East.
California-based Cerebras is known for having developed the largest artificial intelligence chip in the world, a milestone that has the potential to revolutionize data processing and machine learning. Collaborating with a company of this scale not only adds a level of technical expertise to the project, but also a global reach that goes beyond regional borders.
Language: obstacle transformed into opportunity thanks to Artificial Intelligence
Language is often seen as a barrier in the adoption and implementation of new technologies, especially in a field like AI, where English is the dominant language. However, Jais changes this narrative, transforming a potential barrier into an extraordinary opportunity.
By focusing on the Arabic language, Jais not only fills a significant gap in the AI landscape, but also offers a unique platform for the vast Arabic-speaking community of over 400 million speakers. This is especially relevant at a time when Arabic is classified as one of the six official languages of the United Nations and the fourth most spoken language in the world (more info here). Despite its global importance, Arabic is often overlooked in major AI projects, creating a disparity that Jais seeks to address.
But the focus on the Arabic language is not just a question of inclusiveness; it is also a question of the market. The Middle East is a rapidly growing region with an emerging economy and growing interest in technology. According to a report of the World Economic Forum, digitalization could generate up to $95 billion per year in added economic value by 2020 in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Jais, therefore, not only serves a linguistic community, but also an expanding market.
