A 'digital Einstein' will be introduced to thousands of visitors at Expo 2020's Swiss Pavilion.
Made by experts at ETH Zurich, the city's university of science and technology, the great scientist's 'twin' will use the power of AI to talk to the public.
In 1921, Albert Einstein won a Nobel Prize for his contributions to theoretical physics.
A century on, his work will be commemorated with the interactive animation at the Swiss Pavilion to mark his time at ETH Zurich.
“Digital humans like Einstein who can hear, see and interact with the person in front of them are driven by complex algorithmic systems," said Christian Schuller. He is one of three founders of Animatico, a Swiss tech start-up that has developed the ‘digital twin’ at the university ready for its Expo debut next month.
Einstein’s appearance is modelled on how he looked during his formative years in Zurich. The technology uses natural language processing and digital rendering of expressions and body language to bring the young Einstein to life.
The animated twin may not offer answers to the meaning of life, but it will respond to thousands of potential questions from visitors at the gateway to the Swiss Pavilion.
Food, farming and clean energy
Sustainable food production, the future of farming and clean affordable energy for all are other challenges to be addressed by Swiss scientists and academics from Einstein’s alma mater.
The university founded 34 new start-up companies last year, most based on research and innovation developed at ETH Zurich.
Artificial intelligence and sustainability are key themes for graduates, with some projects due to be showcased in Dubai South when Expo 2020 kicks off on October 1.
One of these is the work of Zurich’s Crowther Lab, whose scientists have teamed up with Google Earth to better understand climate change over time.
Satellite imagery identifies areas harmed by climate change with new software predicting carbon deposits that could affect complex ecosystems and weather patterns.
Plants and soil organisms are responsible for driving bio-geochemical processes that regulate soil fertility, ecosystem productivity and the climate.
Scientists believe small increases of soil organic carbon over very large areas in agricultural and pastoral lands can significantly reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide.
"To answer questions about the carbon cycle, we have to understand patterns of why and where plant vegetation exists," said Dr Daniel Maynard, who worked on the project.
"From that local knowledge, we can make detailed local predictions about specific ecosystems to inform scientific decisions about restoration."
Research conducted in the Wasit Nature Reserve in Sharjah, a diverse ecosystem with coastal sands dunes, salt flats, ponds and lakes, revealed the amount of organic carbon in the soil and how much could exist if it was restored.
The work will be discussed in greater detail during Swiss Pavilion workshops throughout Expo 2020.
Other environmental projects at ETH Zurich include efforts to grow microalgae as a meat alternative, and harvest water from the atmosphere.
The university’s energy science centre has developed its own innovative water extraction solution to address the depleting level of drinking water around the world.
Researcher Iwan Hächler developed a condenser that is claimed to be the first zero-energy way to harvest water from the atmosphere during a 24-hour daily cycle.
“Just 0.5 per cent of the water on Earth is ready for human consumption,” said Mr Hächler.
“But almost 40 per cent of the world’s population is vulnerable to water shortages, and we know desalination is expensive and requires a lot of energy.
“This system is energy neutral and produces safe drinking water.”
A thin layer of silver or silica glass reflects sunlight inside a metallic cone that acts as a thermal radiation shield.
It enhances the cooling effect of atmospheric water droplets, which are then harvested into a collection chamber.
Humidity greater than 65 per cent is the perfect environment to extract water from the atmosphere using the device, with a yield of 1.4 litres per square metre every day.
Coastal areas of the UAE average between 50 and 60 per cent humidity throughout the year, but that can reach 90 per cent during summer.
The extraction unit costs less than $20 and differs from other similar units that rely on external energy sources.
Devices could be adapted to provide a sustainable solution to water production in arid regions, Mr Hächler said.
“There is three times more water in the atmosphere than is consumed globally, so it is a resource we can use,” said Mr Hächler.
“The challenge is how to extract it. This cannot produce water for an entire city, but it can supplement existing water supplies.”
Five of the most sustainable pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai - in pictures
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Company%20Profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on Quran memorisation:
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Company%20Profile
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Results:
First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15
Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
