KAUST and Google Collaborate to Enhance AI Research in Saudi Arabia

Laboratory buildings at KAUST's campus in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Image: AT Service/Wikimedia Commons
Laboratory buildings at KAUST's campus in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Image: AT Service/Wikimedia Commons
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KAUST and Google Collaborate to Enhance AI Research in Saudi Arabia

Laboratory buildings at KAUST's campus in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Image: AT Service/Wikimedia Commons
Laboratory buildings at KAUST's campus in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Image: AT Service/Wikimedia Commons

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) launched its investment project in supporting AI research in the Kingdom in collaboration with Google, the Saudi Press Agency said on Monday.
KAUST will provide research grants worth $100,000 to AI researchers from the University's Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Department, to promote research in the field of machine learning, especially in the use of generative and large language models (LLMs).
The launch of these grants coincides with KAUST's announcement of its new Center of Excellence in Generative AI, which accelerates excellence in generative AI research and development in the Kingdom by innovating general-purpose generative AI models.
KAUST ranks 17th globally in the Computer Science Rankings (CSRankings), which measure the outputs of computer departments in the most prestigious scientific publications between 2014 and 2024 in the fields of AI, machine learning, and optical computing.



Google Tests Verified Check Marks in Search Results

A logo of Google is seen on the wall during the groundbreaking ceremony for Malaysia's first Google data center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 01 October 2024. (EPA)
A logo of Google is seen on the wall during the groundbreaking ceremony for Malaysia's first Google data center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 01 October 2024. (EPA)
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Google Tests Verified Check Marks in Search Results

A logo of Google is seen on the wall during the groundbreaking ceremony for Malaysia's first Google data center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 01 October 2024. (EPA)
A logo of Google is seen on the wall during the groundbreaking ceremony for Malaysia's first Google data center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 01 October 2024. (EPA)

Alphabet's Google is testing showing check marks next to certain companies on its search results, a company spokesperson said on Friday, in a move aimed at helping users identify verified sources and steer clear of fake websites.

Fraudulent websites impersonating official businesses or services could creep up in online search results, leading users to view false information about the business, deceiving users and potentially harming the brand.

"We regularly experiment with features that help shoppers identify trustworthy businesses online, and we are currently running a small experiment showing checkmarks next to certain businesses on Google," the spokesperson said.

Google already uses automated systems to identify pages with "scammy" or fraudulent content and prevent them from showing up in the search results.

The Verge reported the development earlier on Friday, adding that it spotted blue verified checkmarks next to official site links for companies including Microsoft, Meta and Apple on search results.

Only some users were able to see the feature, the Verge said, indicating Google has not rolled out the test widely yet.