Saudi Team Leaves Kingdom for United States to Participate in ISEF 2024

This year marks the 18th consecutive year of Saudi participation - SPA
This year marks the 18th consecutive year of Saudi participation - SPA
TT

Saudi Team Leaves Kingdom for United States to Participate in ISEF 2024

This year marks the 18th consecutive year of Saudi participation - SPA
This year marks the 18th consecutive year of Saudi participation - SPA

The Saudi Science and Engineering Team left Riyadh to participate in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2024), which will be held in Los Angeles, United States, from May 10 to 18.
Thirty-five Saudi female and male students from the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity -- "Mawhiba” -- will be competing with 1,700 peers from 70 countries in ISEF, the world’s largest and most prestigious pre-college competition in scientific research and innovation, SPA reported.
Mawhiba said that the Science and Engineering Team includes elite Saudi students who were chosen from among more than 210,000 students from various regions of the Kingdom at the beginning of this year. Their scientific projects passed through various judging stages during the "Ibdaa" National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity until they were reduced to 180, out of which 35 talented students were nominated to represent the Kingdom in ISEF out of the 45 students whose projects qualified to the Olympiad’s finals.
The foundation underlined that the students nominated to represent the Kingdom in ISEF 2024 underwent intensive training given by Saudi and foreign academic trainers and experts in various disciplines to develop their skills and qualify them to participate in the exhibition through integrated efforts of a number of national incubators and supporters, including universities and research centers, parents, families, and teachers.
Represented by Mawhiba, the Kingdom also participates in ISEF 2024 exhibition as a main sponsor and offers special prizes for the best participating projects in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which include paid scholarships for undergraduate study at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, as well as scholarships to participate in the Mawhiba Universal Enrichment Program.
Saudi Arabia extends its impressive streak in international science competitions. This year marks the 18th consecutive year of participation, with a remarkable track record to show for it. Since 2007, Saudi students have claimed a staggering 133 awards, including 92 grand prizes and 41 special distinctions. This exceptional achievement underscores the Kingdom's dedicated efforts to foster a culture of innovation and propel scientific excellence among its youth.



Apple Sidelines AI News Summaries Due to Errors

New Apple iPhone 16 models released late in 2024 boast generative artificial intelligence features. Frederic J. BROWN / AFP
New Apple iPhone 16 models released late in 2024 boast generative artificial intelligence features. Frederic J. BROWN / AFP
TT

Apple Sidelines AI News Summaries Due to Errors

New Apple iPhone 16 models released late in 2024 boast generative artificial intelligence features. Frederic J. BROWN / AFP
New Apple iPhone 16 models released late in 2024 boast generative artificial intelligence features. Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

Apple pushed out a software update on Thursday which disabled news headlines and summaries generated using artificial intelligence that were lambasted for getting facts wrong.
The move by the tech titan comes as it enhances its latest lineup of devices with "Apple Intelligence" in a market keen for assurance that the iPhone maker is a contender in the AI race, AFP said.
Apple's decision to temporarily disable the recently launched AI feature comes after the BBC and other news organizations complained that users were getting mistake-riddled or outright wrong headlines or news summary alerts.
Apple deployed the update to developers working with a beta version of its software, sidelining the AI feature for news headlines.
The tech giant plans to restore the feature when it is working properly and eventually roll it out to all users.
Apple in June of last year unveiled new iPhones built with generative AI as it seeks to boost sales and show it is keeping up in the technological arms race.
The company has a lot riding on the new iPhone 16 and hopes that customers are attracted to buy the latest models by its new AI powers.
"We are thrilled to introduce the first iPhones designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence and its breakthrough capabilities," Apple chief executive Tim Cook said at an event at the iPhone-maker's Silicon Valley headquarters.
"Apple Intelligence" is a new suite of software features for all devices that was announced at the company's annual developers conference, where it also announced a partnership with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.
In the short-term, the new powers include AI-infused image editing, translation, and small, creative touches in messaging, but not more ambitious breakthroughs promised by other AI players, such as OpenAI or Google.
The features are similar to tools recently released by Meta, Microsoft and Google, which can produce well-crafted content simply by querying in everyday language.
Google last year released AI-infused Pixel 9 smartphones, its challenge to the iPhone.

Pixel phomes account for a tiny sliver of the global smartphone market dominated by Samsung and Apple, but Google argued its new line is a chance to answer what -- after all the hype -- AI can actually do for customers.
Samsung has also showcased AI across its line, and is expected to unveil a new flagship Galaxy smartphone at an event next week in Silicon Valley.