Saudi Arabia: SDAIA, NTDP Launch Groundbreaking AI Accelerator

GAIA 10-week accelerator program at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh seeks to enhance the Kingdom’s scientific status and pioneering position in AI. SPA
GAIA 10-week accelerator program at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh seeks to enhance the Kingdom’s scientific status and pioneering position in AI. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: SDAIA, NTDP Launch Groundbreaking AI Accelerator

GAIA 10-week accelerator program at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh seeks to enhance the Kingdom’s scientific status and pioneering position in AI. SPA
GAIA 10-week accelerator program at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh seeks to enhance the Kingdom’s scientific status and pioneering position in AI. SPA

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), in cooperation with New Native Inc., launched Tuesday GAIA, the world’s first generative artificial-intelligence (AI) early-stage accelerator program in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

GAIA 10-week accelerator program at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh seeks to enhance the Kingdom’s scientific status and pioneering position in AI and targets the entrepreneurship sector and technology startups with coaching sessions and training on mechanisms to transform innovative ideas into successful Al-driven businesses.

GAIA accelerator program aims to shed light on the Kingdom’s pioneering AI roles and creating 300 new Al companies within 36 months. It also will work to create a community for local and international AI start-ups, where they can exchange expertise and enhance cooperation.



New York State Government to Monitor its Use of AI under a New Law

A video surveillance camera hangs from the ceiling above a subway platform, Oct. 7, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
A video surveillance camera hangs from the ceiling above a subway platform, Oct. 7, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
TT

New York State Government to Monitor its Use of AI under a New Law

A video surveillance camera hangs from the ceiling above a subway platform, Oct. 7, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
A video surveillance camera hangs from the ceiling above a subway platform, Oct. 7, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

New York state government agencies will have to conduct reviews and publish reports that detail how they're using artificial intelligence software, under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Hochul, a Democrat, signed the bill last week after it was passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.

The law requires state agencies to perform assessments of any software that uses algorithms, computational models or AI techniques, and then submit those reviews to the governor and top legislative leaders along with posting them online, according to The AP.

It also bars the use of AI in certain situations, such as an automated decision on whether someone receives unemployment benefits or child care assistance, unless the system is being consistently monitored by a human.

State workers would also be shielded from having their hours or job duties limited because of AI under the law.

State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, called the law an important step in setting up some guardrails in how the emerging technology is used in state government.