Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company ADQ has partnered with Switzerland's artificial intelligence solutions provider EQTY Lab for artificial intelligence-driven climate solutions.
The collaboration between the companies began in 2023 with the launch of ClimateGPT, an open-source AI model designed to address climate change and sustainability challenges, according to a statement.
The partnership will involve deploying the AI Integrity Suite from EQTY Lab, which ensures the reliability, security and transparency of ADQ's AI models.
"The AI Integrity Suite is our flagship product, and we're implementing it with ADQ. We're directly integrating the solution into the deployment of ClimateGPT, " Jonathan Dotan, Founder of EQTY Lab, shared with The National.
Mr Dotan explained that the AI Integrity Suite ensures transparency throughout the model development process. It allows users to verify the origin of the data used to train the model and the code utilized for fine-tuning.
He added that the solution guarantees the integrity of the model's outputs, providing clarity on the model’s sources and ensuring compliance with proper governance standards.
With ClimateGPT, a tool powered by Erasmus and trained by Apptek, researchers, policymakers and business leaders can drive resilient climate action.
Mr Dotan explained that the Climate GPT model is designed to process and analyse thousands of high-quality scientific research articles. This allows users—such as experts and companies developing ESG strategies—to ask specific questions and receive concise, accurate answers drawn from these reputable sources, he added.
ClimateGPT operates on renewable energy at Al Dhafra Solar PV in Abu Dhabi, the world's largest single-site solar plant.
ADQ and its portfolio companies – Adnec Group, Etihad Rail, Taqa and Masdar – will be the first to deploy this technology in the UAE, the statement said.
ClimateGPT also supports the research and execution of environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. For example, Masdar uses the model to analyse emerging renewable energy solutions and co-author articles that drive efficiencies.
Adnec has also implemented the model to build a custom global research library, enhancing the group's efforts in ESG research.
Mr Dotan also emphasised that he does not intend for the Climate GPT model to become a mainstream tool millions use. "It's a very specialized tool that was built for senior analysts, researchers, and the scientific community to come together to get the most cutting-edge, evolved AI for climate change," he explained.
ClimateGPT joins a broader trend of AI models being used to combat climate change.
Last year, Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi launched Jais Climate, the world's first bilingual language model dedicated to climate intelligence.
A partnership between Core42, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based technology holding company G42, and the university led to the development of the large language model (LLM), which focuses on climate, sustainability and Cop28.
According to MBZUAI and Core42, Jais Climate includes 1.4 million climate-related instructions, and it was trained on ClimaInstruct, the largest bilingual data set on climate and sustainability topics.
The LLM was created using sources and climate information in English and Arabic. Jais refers to the UAE's highest peak, Ras Al Khaimah.
According to MBZUAI and Core42, Jais Climate will make climate data accessible to more than 274 million Arabic and 1.4 billion English speakers worldwide.
Globally, a specialised AI known as ChatClimate, similar to ChatGPT, was developed by researchers at the University of Zurich last year.
According to a study, ChatClimate is a conversational AI designed to enhance the accuracy and relevance of LLMs in climate change. It draws on data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Report.
A PwC study on the potential impact of AI in the Middle East finds that AI is expected to significantly contribute to the broader region's gross domestic product, with the UAE projected to see a 14 per cent increase in its GDP.
Construction, manufacturing, energy, utilities and public sectors are poised to experience the most significant economic impact as AI drives substantial innovation and growth, the study found.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20(2022)
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Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
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How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
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Racecard
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Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The years Ramadan fell in May
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
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