Gulf region’s first AI Hackfest to solve real-world challenges

Microsoft today began its inaugural Hackfest, a four-day event – and the first of its kind in the  Gulf region – where customers from both, public and private sector were invited to work with Microsoft’s engineers and data scientists to solve real-world problems using the tools of artificial intelligence.

Taking place at the Address Boulevard hotel, downtown in Dubai, the Hackfest falls in line with UAE’s strategy for Artificial intelligence and the Gulf region’s aim to use an integrated smart digital system that can overcome challenges and provide quick efficient solutions.  The event will demonstrate the power of AI technologies to leading IT decision makers and give them an opportunity to experience capabilities such as machine-learning, advanced analytics, and natural-language processing - all hosted by Microsoft Azure cloud platform. During the event, attendees will present business problems and challenges to Microsoft’s experts, who will collaborate with the delegates on solutions that use a combination of cloud-based AI tools.

“The intelligent cloud is full of possibilities, because of advancements in artificial intelligence,” said Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft Gulf. “Many companies, from multiple industries, and several governments, including those here in the GCC, have begun reaping the rewards.”

“This Hackfest is our way of demonstrating the potential of AI to solve real world problems - to the extent that we are bringing our best engineers to collaborate with the regional tech community and solve their business challenges with real solutions. This is our ‘AI challenge’; bring us your most daunting digital transformation issues and watch the intelligent cloud show you how to achieve more: engage customers, empower employees, optimise operations and revitalise business models.” He added. 

A recent Microsoft survey of large Gulf enterprises discovered that more than half of them (51%) were planning to migrate to the cloud. Many others expressed interest in adopting various forms of AI, including business intelligence (41%), Internet of Things (37%), automated workflow (25%), predictive analytics (21%) and robotics and machine automation (14%).

Hackfest 2018 is designed around two tracks. The first track focuses on attendees who have presented problems best solved by AI and Machine learning, while the other track engages with customers who would like to learn more about developing cognitive applications.

Organisations attending the Microsoft AI Hackfest include Dubai Municipality, DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), MBC Group, The United Arab Emirates University, du – from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, Al Jaber Engineering & Contracting (ALEC) and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar.