US$1 Million Award Will Encourage Entrepreneurs Worldwide to Use Robotics and AI to Solve Challenges in Education, Healthcare, Social Services
Launched at 2015 Government Summit, award is part of UAE's commitment to create initiatives with societal impact
Days after the thrilling finals of the 'Drones for Good' competition, which awarded a US$1 million prize to the creators of a collision-proof drone, the UAE has launched the international 'AI and Robotics Award for Good' competition. Announced during the 2015 Government Summit, the award reinforces the UAE's desire to support technology which will bring positive change to the world. Winners will be selected at the 2016 Government Summit in Dubai.
The competition allows entrants to combine robotics, artificial intelligence, healthcare technology, advanced education technology and other areas to develop robots which have the potential to dramatically improve how governments meet citizens' needs. While the technical requirements will be announced shortly, the real boundaries are only in the imagination of entrants.
In opening the chase for the award, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs for the UAE government, encouraged researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators to be creative in their thinking.
Said Sheikh Hamdan, "Our goal is to harness science and technology to promote a better life for people and enhance happiness in communities."
His Excellency Al Gergawi commented, "This competition will put the best minds in the world to the test, challenging them to incorporate the latest technologies and develop new ones. The possibilities are limitless, from improving life for those with disabilities, to transforming education, to aiding with complex tasks such as fire-fighting, construction work and social care."
The announcement came during the third Government Summit, which brings together world leaders and nearly 4,000 attendees from 93 countries for plenaries and panel discussions about how innovation and technology can make governments more effective. Speakers included Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Klaus Schwab, Chairman of the World Economic Forum; Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple; and Boo-Keun Yoon, president of Samsung Electronics. The award was launched in the Museum of Future Government Services, an exhibition with interactive learning labs, concepts of self-driving cars and virtual reality tools.
www.roboticsforgood.ae