A Dubai competition focused on developing skills in artificial intelligence technology is under way, with Dh1 million ($272,290) in prize money on offer for participants from around the world.
The Global Prompt Engineering Championship has been organised by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and Dubai's Centre for Artificial Intelligence.
In AI, a prompt refers to a specific request made to a language model such as ChatGPT, which can provide a response or solution to a user.
DFF deputy chief executive Abdulaziz Al Jaziri spoke to The National at the competition and described prompt engineering as the next phase in acquiring new skills in the tech sector.
"We recognised AI as a technology that can revolutionise lives, enabling individuals to develop new skills and discover new roles and opportunities. Prompt engineering is now emerging as a crucial new skill set in this context," he said.
The selection process
The first of the two-day conference focused on selecting nine from the top 30 prompt engineering programmers to participate in the final phase on Tuesday at the Museum of the Future.
The selection process involves a rigorous evaluation of the participants' skills and understanding of prompt engineering. The programmers will then be divided into five groups, each competing in literature, art, and coding.
Mr Al Jaziri explained the championship's inclusive approach, addressing why it includes categories beyond coding.
"We realised that coding is for a subset of society. Literature appeals to a wider society and art to an even bigger set. We want everyone to feel included in this skill set, and this is a skill that we believe everyone should get and learn," he said.
The nine competitors will be announced in the auditorium Tuesday morning, and only three, one from each category, will receive prize money totaling Dh1 million ($272,290).
Inclusivity beyond age limits
What stood out to Mr Al Jaziri was the diversity of the participants. "There were initially thousands of entries from over 100 countries, and in terms of age groups, we have a 13-year-old to a 60-year-old," he said.
The youngest participant in the literature category, Zara Hasnain from the UK, found out about the championship online and registered independently. A self-proclaimed enthusiast of both AI and literature, she found the competition's unique blend of disciplines irresistible.
"I was interested in AI and liked linking it with other things like literature. So I thought it would be a great opportunity to participate in this competition," she told The National.
Although the competition has an age limit of 18, an exception was made for the 13-year-old prodigy due to her exceptional skills at such a young age.
"I was surprised, to be honest, because I thought more people my age would participate. There was no age limit online, so I assumed it was for everyone," she said.
Judging AI mastery
A specialised committee evaluates the completed projects and looks for speed, quality, and accuracy.
Abdelrahman Al Mahmoud, one of the judges and the Head of Research and Infrastructure in the Artificial Intelligence Office at the Prime Minister's Office, emphasised the importance of mastery of AI systems.
He noted that judges focus on how well participants can control and direct AI tools.
"We are looking at their mastery of the tool: how they can make the system do what they want, rather than simply accepting whatever output the system gives them," he told The National.
Major global technology companies, including Microsoft, Google, and IBM, participated in the event with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy as its strategic partner.
As the first day unfolds, excitement and anticipation fill the air. Participants are eager to showcase their skills and creativity, hoping to qualify for the finals.
The GPEC, with its unique focus on prompt engineering and its inclusive approach encompassing literature, art, and coding, is set to be an inspirational event, paving the way for future advancements in the digital economy.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
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6.30pm: Baniyas Group 2 (PA) Dh 97,500 (Dirt) 1,400m.
7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,400m
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,400m
8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh 85,000 (D) 2,000m
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
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Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
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Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
