MBZUAI's MAILIS, AD Gaming to spotlight AI's role in future of game development
As part of MBZUAI's Year of Community outreach initiative, MAILIS brings together students, researchers, and industry leaders to exchange ideas and inspire the UAE's future AI leaders. This latest session featured: Rawdha Almeraikhi, Director of Outreach, MBZUAI; Hamdan Al Ali, Ph.D. Candidate in Natural Language Processing, MBZUAI; Boris Kalmykov, Co-founder and CEO of Hypemasters and former executive at Meta and Unity; Marcos Muller-Habig, Abu Dhabi Gaming Sector Enablement Director; and Ariana Bermudez, Project Manager, MBZUAI.
Participants shared their observations and experiences on how AI is transforming creativity in the rapidly evolving games industry, and highlighted opportunities for local talent to contribute to global innovation and creation. The session was hosted in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Gaming, the government-led initiative driving the emirate's transformation into a global gaming hub.
Rawdha Almeraikhi, Director of Outreach at MBZUAI, opened the session with a keynote focused on the University's commitment to creating platforms that empower young people and stimulate innovation. In her remarks, she said: 'Our MAILIS initiative offers an inclusive space where meaningful conversations begin with young minds, seasoned experts, and aspiring creators, who are excited and passionate about how AI can transform industries such as health, energy, creative arts, transport, and education. In this session, we explored the gaming universe through an AI lens, bridging imagination and innovation.'
The program featured remarks from Marcos Muller-Habig, Abu Dhabi Gaming Sector Enablement Director, who discussed the growing impact of AI on the gaming industry, from unlocking new careers to driving business ambition.
'Artificial intelligence is not here to replace creativity or human ingenuity – it's here to amplify it,' said Marcos Muller-Habig.
'In gaming, AI is unlocking new possibilities that were once unimaginable, from personalising player experiences to more immersive storytelling. At Abu Dhabi Gaming, we are fostering local talent in this evolving space, supporting individuals and companies that are exploring new ways to move the industry forward. Abu Dhabi is rapidly becoming a global hub for innovation in gaming, with AI serving as a powerful tool to create new roles and business opportunities – and we're excited to be a part of this movement.'
Boris Kalmykov, Co-founder and CEO of Hypemasters and former executive at Meta and Unity, delivered a session on how AI is revolutionizing gameplay and player experiences. Drawing on his global experience in gaming and technology, Kalmykov shared perspectives on the power of AI to reshape the business and storytelling dimensions of modern games.
The session also spotlighted original projects from MBZUAI Ph.D. students. Ariana Bermudez Venegas, whose research focuses on computer vision and human avatars, presented work on AI simulation and real-time interaction in virtual environments. Hamdan Hamid Al-Ali, a system developer at Dubai Police and NLP Ph.D. candidate, shared his AI-powered games rooted in Emirati heritage, including Al Sharah and Emirati Tales, which combine cultural storytelling with educational game mechanics.
The program concluded with an open Q&A session, inviting dialogue between audience members and speakers on how AI can shape the future of the creative economy.
MBZUAI's MAILIS continues to grow as a platform designed to connect academia, industry, and community around AI's most exciting opportunities. By focusing on gaming and creative industries, this session affirmed MBZUAI's vision to nurture young talent, inspire innovation, and contribute to the UAE's global leadership in responsible and inclusive AI.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
an hour ago
- UAE Moments
Huawei Eyes Non-invasive Glucose Monitoring
Huawei is accelerating its ambitions in the UAE and Middle East wearables market, aiming to eliminate the traditional delay between launching cutting-edge features in China and bringing them to international consumers. The Chinese tech giant has outlined plans to roll out its advanced TruSense health innovations, previously available only in China, to the UAE and other key markets through synchronised global launches. This strategy marks a significant shift for Huawei, responding to the growing demand in the region for health-focused wearable technology that delivers reliable, real-time data for proactive health management. During a recent media briefing, Huawei confirmed that it is working closely with local medical institutions across the Middle East to customise its wearable technology, ensuring compatibility with regional medical practices and customer expectations. HarmonyOS Enables a Seamless Experience Central to Huawei's wearables success is its proprietary HarmonyOS, an operating system developed as an alternative to Android to create a seamless, self-sufficient ecosystem across devices. HarmonyOS powers Huawei's wearable devices, enabling efficient hardware-software integration, long battery life, and smooth performance. One Huawei employee shared that their wearable device required charging only once every ten days, a major advantage for users seeking continuous health monitoring without the inconvenience of frequent charging. Health Labs Driving Global Innovation Huawei's commitment to wearables is backed by its state-of-the-art Health Labs in China and Finland, which specialise in researching exercise physiology, sports science, and biomechanics to advance health monitoring technologies. The labs' work has led to the development of the TruSense System, known for its industry-leading accuracy, comprehensive data capture, and rapid processing speeds. Huawei's TruSense system currently offers medical-grade precision, achieving over 98% accuracy in dynamic heart rate monitoring and less than 2% deviation in blood oxygen measurements. It also supports 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring via wrist-based devices such as the Huawei WATCH D2 series, making advanced health tracking accessible for everyday users. One-Button Health Checks A standout feature of Huawei's wearables is the ' one-button health check ' that delivers over ten vital health indicators in just 60 seconds, allowing users to monitor their well-being efficiently. This feature is particularly valuable for individuals seeking a comprehensive overview of their health without the need for multiple devices or visits to healthcare facilities. Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring: A Vision for the Future Among the most ambitious projects under Huawei's health technology umbrella is the development of noninvasive glucose monitoring. The goal is to provide accurate blood glucose readings without the need for finger-prick blood samples, significantly improving the user experience for those managing diabetes or monitoring blood sugar levels for preventive health measures. A Huawei spokesperson explained, 'With continuous and noninvasive detection methods, we can raise early awareness of potential health risks for users. Our long-term goal is to match the accuracy of invasive testing methods while providing a more comfortable and seamless experience for users.' This vision aligns with Huawei's broader strategy of expanding the functionality of its wearables, making them an integral part of users' daily lives and health management routines. Regional Customisation for the Middle East Huawei's plans for the Middle East extend beyond technological innovation; they include a focus on regional customisation to ensure products meet local needs. This involves collaborating with medical institutions across the UAE and other countries to validate the effectiveness of sensors for glucose testing, ovarian health monitoring, and cardiovascular assessments in local populations. The company also considers factors such as skin tone variations in sensor calibration and user interface design to enhance accuracy and inclusivity across diverse user groups. The Future of Wearables in the Middle East Huawei views the wearables segment as a growth driver for its consumer business in the Middle East, a region where health and wellness are increasingly prioritised by tech-savvy consumers. With 180 million wearable devices shipped globally and 540 million users served, Huawei's optimism is grounded in a proven track record of innovation and adoption. 'We believe the wearables market is just getting started,' the spokesperson noted. 'We see significant potential for growth in the Middle East, driven by a young, health-conscious population eager to adopt new technologies that can enhance their lifestyles.' While Huawei continues to innovate in other wearable categories such as smart glasses and health-monitoring headphones, the smartwatch remains the cornerstone of its health technology strategy. The company's ongoing efforts in enhancing the functionality and comfort of its wearables signal a future where continuous health monitoring becomes a standard part of everyday life. A New Era of Health Monitoring Huawei's commitment to bringing advanced health monitoring technologies to the UAE and the Middle East demonstrates its recognition of the region's role in the future of consumer technology. By prioritising synchronised global launches, regional partnerships, and noninvasive health tracking advancements, Huawei is positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave of wearable innovation. As Huawei expands its wearables portfolio, users in the UAE and across the Middle East can look forward to having immediate access to the latest health innovations, empowering them to take control of their health in a convenient, technology-driven way.
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
UAE delivers 1 billion meals to people in need: Sheikh Mohammed
The UAE has delivered more than one billion meals to people in need as part of a major humanitarian project. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced the successful completion of the humanitarian project launched in Ramadan 2022 to provide one billion meals to those in need worldwide. Sheikh Mohammed said: 'Three years ago we launched a humanitarian project aimed at distributing 1 billion meals to those in need globally. The project has fully achieved its goal this month, distributing one billion meals across 65 countries. UAE 1 Billion Meals project 'An additional 260 million meals will be distributed over the course of next year. We have also established sustainable real estate endowments to ensure the continued provision of food aid in the years to come. 'We thank God for the ability to give, for the chance to fulfil our promise, and for the blessing of this good nation, whose kindness has touched the world. 'May God protect the UAE and its people, and may they always be a symbol of good and generosity.' The 1 Billion Meals initiative built upon the success of the previous 10 Million Meals and 100 Million Meals campaigns launched in 2020 and 2021, respectively. As the largest food aid initiative of its kind in the region, the 1 Billion Meals initiative aims to provide nutritional support to underprivileged individuals, families, women, and children, reflecting the UAE's inclusive approach to humanitarianism, which offers assistance and aid to all communities without discrimination. To ensure its long-term impact and the continued distribution of meals worldwide, the 1 Billion Meals Endowment initiative was launched in 2023 as the largest sustainable food aid endowment fund. Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), stated that the MBRGI, guided by the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, mobilises resources and efforts to improve food security in underserved communities. He attributed the success of the 1 Billion Meals initiative to the significant community engagement and generous contributions from individuals and organisations across the UAE. Al Gergawi highlighted the vital role of partners, including UN agencies and regional and local organisations, in implementing the initiative, enabling it to deliver one billion meals by the end of July 2025, with plans to reach the pledged total of 1.26 billion meals by the end of 2026. Al Gergawi said: 'We remain committed to strengthening our strategic partnerships locally, regionally and globally to support those most in need and create sustainable solutions to address food challenges. 'The MBRGI's commitment to eradicating hunger extends beyond providing meals; it encompasses empowering communities to develop comprehensive strategies to combat poverty and malnutrition. 'This aligns with the MBRGI's vision for sustainable development and is being actively pursued by a wide range of UN agencies and regional and local partners.' The 1 Billion Meals initiative partnered with UN organisations through two main avenues: Direct food aid through distributing food parcels, meals, supplements, smart vouchers, etc Sustainable projects empowering individuals and families to become self-sufficient. These include empowering farmers and creating jobs in food production and other relevant sectors The 1 Billion Meals initiative recorded remarkable achievements in collaboration with several UN partners, including the UN World Food Programme (WFP) – the initiative's largest partner in the direct food aid avenue through the distribution of food parcels and smart vouchers. The UNHCR's contribution to the initiative focused on refugees and displaced communities by delivering food parcels, vouchers, and sustainable projects. The 1 Billion Meals initiative collaborated with the UN Trust Fund (UNITLIFE), which focused on sustainable agriculture and women's empowerment in food production. It also collaborated with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which champions international efforts to eradicate hunger. The Food Banking Regional Network, a key partner of the initiative under direct food aid, distributed food parcels through local food banks. Life for Relief and Development helped provide food aid to low-income families and individuals through the delivery of food parcels. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment is a strategic partner of the initiative, distributing food parcels in the UAE and other countries. The Emirates Food Bank focused on supporting low-income families and individuals within the UAE. MBRGI, the region's largest organisation in the field of charity, humanitarian and aid work, invested over AED2.2bn ($599m), impacting 149 million people across 118 countries in 2024. The impact encompassed MBRGI's five pillars: Humanitarian Aid and Relief Healthcare and Disease Control Spreading Education and Knowledge Innovation and Entrepreneurship Empowering Communities The Humanitarian Aid and Relief pillar encompasses emergency relief during crises and disasters, as well as sustainable development projects and services. Launched in 2015, MBRGI consolidated over 30 humanitarian and development initiatives and organisations supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for over two decades. Focusing on underserved communities and vulnerable populations, the MBRGI aims to foster hope and address pressing global challenges, particularly in less fortunate regions. It invests in human capital by empowering individuals, honing skills, and building a qualified workforce to drive development. The MBRGI also prioritises improving education, combating poverty and disease, and promoting tolerance and coexistence.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Sheikh Mohammed announces completion of 1 Billion Meals campaign
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the completion of the 1 Billion Meals project. The scheme was launched in Ramadan 2022 to provide one billion meals to those in need worldwide. It reached its target this month, with meals distributed across 65 countries. 'Three years ago we launched a humanitarian project aimed at distributing 1 billion meals to those in need globally," said Sheikh Mohammed. "The project has fully achieved its goal this month, distributing one billion meals across 65 countries. An additional 260 million meals will be distributed over the course of next year. 'We have also established sustainable real estate endowments to ensure the continued provision of food aid in the years to come.' The initiative followed on from the previous 10 Million Meals and 100 Million Meals campaigns launched in 2020 and 2021. The project aimed to provide nutritional support to underprivileged individuals, families, women, and children, reflecting the UAE's inclusive approach to humanitarianism, which offers assistance and aid to all communities without discrimination. In 2023, the One Billion Meals Endowment campaign was launched to raise funds that would support a long-term, sustainable approach to helping those in need all over the world. Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary General of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), praised the role played by partners, including UN agencies and regional and local organisations, in implementing the initiative. 'We remain committed to strengthening our strategic partnerships locally, regionally and globally to support those most in need and create sustainable solutions to address food challenges," he said. "The MBRGI's commitment to eradicating hunger extends beyond providing meals; it encompasses empowering communities to develop comprehensive strategies to combat poverty and malnutrition. This aligns with the MBRGI's vision for sustainable development and is being actively pursued by a wide range of UN agencies and regional and local partners."
