Dubai Future Foundation and Meta announce the launch of the “Lama Design Drive” accelerator program
Meta and Dubai Future Foundation today announced the launch of the first batch of the Llama Design Drive , a regional program that aims to accelerate the growth of AI startups in the Middle East and North Africa.
The Lama Design Drive program, implemented in collaboration with Startup Bootcamp, aims to provide a stimulating environment for creativity and innovation. The first batch includes 22 startups and 8 specialists in the field of developing artificial intelligence solutions who will work in Area 2071, supervised by the Dubai Future Foundation, to find quick and effective solutions to the most prominent challenges facing the sector in terms of artificial intelligence.
Based on the Lama 3.1 model:
The first-of-its-kind programme in the region aims to accelerate the pace of AI innovation, using Meta’s new open-source AI model Llama 3.1 , to foster collaboration between startups and some of the UAE’s leading companies.
The programme is expected to significantly contribute to the advancement of the artificial intelligence system in the UAE, in line with its ambitious strategic vision to consolidate its position among the world’s leading countries in the field of artificial intelligence technology.
(Lama Design Drive) Program: Realistic Challenges and Innovative Solutions:
The first batch of the Lama Design Drive Challenge involves four consecutive weeks of designing AI solutions, where four leading companies in the UAE, namely Emirates Airlines, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Holding, and Chalhoub Group, take the initiative to present a set of challenges that they actually face in the business sector to startups and pioneers in the field of innovating AI solutions.
- Emirates: Seeks to improve the travel experience for people of determination and the elderly by providing accurate and accessible information.
- Roads and Transport Authority: Aims to improve Dubai’s public transport system by leveraging mobility data available from multiple sources, and activating AI-based travel alert systems.
- Dubai Holding: Focuses on enhancing the accuracy of carbon emissions reports to support the UAE’s initiative to achieve net zero emissions by 2050
- Chalhoub Group: Seeks to improve customer experience in retail sector through advanced sentiment and data analysis.
The startups will be hosted for the four weeks of the first batch of the Lama Design Drive program within the dedicated innovation area ( AREA 2071 ) at the Dubai Future Foundation, where everyone will participate in workshops and mentoring sessions aimed at facilitating the product innovation process.
This cooperation comes as a confirmation of the UAE’s firm commitment to developing a vital system based on artificial intelligence, as advanced solutions will help achieve the country’s ambitious goals in terms of digital transformation .
Objectives of the (Lama Design Drive) program:
- Accelerating the growth of AI startups in the region.
- Developing innovative solutions to address real challenges in various sectors.
- Strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading hub for artificial intelligence.
- Building strong partnerships between startups and large corporations.
Expected results:
This program is expected to contribute to achieving a qualitative leap in the field of artificial intelligence in the UAE, and enhance its ability to compete at the global level. It will also contribute to developing innovative solutions that contribute to improving people’s lives and promoting sustainable development.