Outer Edge Summit in Riyadh explores AI, digital futures

1 / 2
Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
2 / 2
Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
Short Url
Updated 24 April 2024
Follow

Outer Edge Summit in Riyadh explores AI, digital futures

  • Experts highlight issues in data ownership and the revolutionary Web3

RIYADH: By owning our data, we will be empowered and safe, says Krista Kim at Outer Edge Innovation Summit on April 23 at The Garage in Riyadh.

Kim spoke in one of the summit’s panel discussions, titled “Web3 and AI for business and smart cities,” which included guest speakers Naif Al-Rabeah, director of Web3 and spatial reality portfolio at NEOM; Eric Pulier, founder & CEO at Vatom Corporation; and Kamal Youssefi, president at the Hashgraph Association.




Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

The Korean Canadian artist has a goal to raise awareness of the importance of each person owning their data: “I believe that data is power. You need to allow people to be empowered by owning their own data and to give them a choice of what projects they want to be involved in.”

Kim highlighted that data ownership “is one of the greatest human rights issues in the 21st century.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Topics at the Outer Edge Innovation Summit in Riyadh include smart cities, gaming, esports, art, culture, and more.

• The panel discussion titled ‘Web3 and AI for business and smart cities’ included guest speaker Naif Al-Rabeah, the director of Web3 and spatial reality portfolio at NEOM.

• Last month, Krista Kim presented ‘Heart Space,’ the first collaborative generative AI biometric artwork in history, commissioned by Julius Baer at Art Dubai.

“Right now, in the Web2 system, our data is taken for free. The companies practice surveillance capitalism and they take your data and they monetize on your free data.”

Scott Lawin, CEO of Candy Digital, a gaming and fan engagement company focused on sports and entertainment, attended the summit to support Web3: “Web3 really gives people that opportunity to authenticate their data and share it in a selective way where necessary. And also benefit from the contribution of that data.”




Krista Kim, Contemporary artist

Lawin attended the panel discussion highlighting the importance of the harmony of web3 and smart cities. Web3 is a term used to describe an idea for the next stage of internet development, which incorporates concepts such as decentralization, blockchain technologies, and token-based economics.

"I’m really excited about the Kingdom’s push forward and support for Web3. And I wanted to come and sort of see it here at first hand and meet the community here."

(Data ownership) is one of the greatest human rights issues in the 21st century.

Krista Kim, Contemporary artist

“As it relates to smart cities, (they) are designed and built around data. And understanding how the personalization of that data can help improve citizens’ lives,” he explained. “But ownership of that data and giving each individual the ability to sort of turn on and turn off the way that data is utilized is also quite important. From a privacy perspective and just a self-determination perspective.”

Meanwhile, Kim hopes to raise awareness of the global issue through personal projects and artistic efforts.

Last month, she presented “Heart Space,” the first collaborative generative AI biometric artwork in history, commissioned by Julius Baer at Art Dubai.

Within the exhibition, visitors take their heartbeat measurements with an app that will create a heart signature to be used an artwork in the immersive space.

“So, you are contributing through your heartbeat to the experience of the artwork, and you have the opportunity to create the NFT of your heart signature on the app,” the artist explained. “This is a project that I'm creating for people to take the first step to create your heart signature and then from that first step, you can start the movement toward that privacy and identity on the chain.”

The line between real and fake is being blurred further, creating ramifications in various fields. “AI can now create fake articles and they can fake your identity ... in three years, AGI (artificial general intelligence) is going to automatically just create stories,” Kim said. “So, we need to differentiate between what is real and what is fake, and also what is made by a human being versus what is made by the machine.”

Technology can be used to its advantage. Blockchain provides a solution of creating verification for newspapers, journalists and online media outlets, Kim says.

Speaking about how it works, she added: “On-chain media is very important, so that you can see the verification of this story on the blockchain. To bring it a step further — biometrics. So, your heart signature that I spoke about, as a journalist, you can use your heart signature to sign your story online.”

Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world.

In partnership with Animoca Brands and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the summit highlights advances in Web3 and the gaming ecosystem development in Saudi Arabia.

Topics at the summit will include smart cities, gaming, esports, art, culture, and more.

For more information about the Outer Edge Innovation Summit in Riyadh, visit outeredge.live/riyadh.

 

 


Saudi envoy to Dhaka praises Makkah Route efficiency

Updated 3 sec ago
Follow

Saudi envoy to Dhaka praises Makkah Route efficiency

  • Makkah Route Initiative streamlines the performance of Hajj for Bangladeshi pilgrims

RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan lauded the Makkah Route Initiative as a unique program that streamlines the performance of Hajj for Bangladeshi pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Al-Duhailan highlighted the initiative’s role in the Pilgrim Experience Program, a Saudi Vision 2030 program focused on enhancing services for Hajj performers, and emphasized how the initiative has significantly improved the Kingdom’s organization and planning for pilgrims visiting the holy city of Makkah.

“The initiative showcases excellence in management, organization, and efforts to facilitate the journey of pilgrims to the holy lands,” Al-Duhailan said.

The initiative’s features, he added, include the issuance of electronic Hajj visas and luggage coding at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, which enables Bangladeshi pilgrims to be processed upon arrival in Saudi Arabia as domestic travelers and expedites their transportation to their places of residence in Makkah and Madinah.

“Pilgrims are welcomed with hospitality, security, and safety throughout their journey, creating a rich and unforgettable spiritual experience,” Al-Duhailan said, expressing his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its vision and to all those involved in the Makkah Route Initiative for their dedication to serving Hajj pilgrims.


KSrelief provides prosthetic services in Yemen

Updated 8 min 53 sec ago
Follow

KSrelief provides prosthetic services in Yemen

  • Yemen is among the top beneficiaries of KSrelief assistance

RIYADH: A Saudi-backed prosthetics center in Yemen has provided help to hundreds of people in the war-torn country, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The project, supported by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, offers physical therapy and other services to assist those who have lost limbs to reintegrate into society.

The rehabilitation center in the governorate of Taiz provided 821 services to 329 beneficiaries in one month, including the manufacturing, fitting, delivery, and maintenance of prosthetic limbs.

Other treatments include physical therapy and consultation sessions, SPA stated.

Yemen is among the top beneficiaries of KSrelief assistance. The center has implemented 862 projects in Yemen worth over $4.3 billion.

KSrelief’s programs cover food security, health, sanitation, shelter, nutrition, education, telecommunications and logistics.

Since its inception in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 2,673 projects worth more than $6.5 billion in 99 countries, in cooperation with 175 local, regional, and international partners.

Meanwhile, KSrelief distributed 720 shelter bags to displaced families and those in need in the locality of Kosti in the White Nile State of Sudan, benefiting 4,140 individuals.

The center also distributed 769 food baskets in Kassala State, benefiting 3,762 individuals.


Saudi Royal Court: King Salman to undergo medical examinations

Updated 19 May 2024
Follow

Saudi Royal Court: King Salman to undergo medical examinations

JEDDAH: The Saudi Royal Court said on Sunday that King Salman would undergo medical examinations at the Royal Clinics at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.

The medical team decided to conduct tests on King Salman – who suffers from a high temperature and joint pain – to diagnose his health condition, the Royal Court said in a statement.


Saudi crown prince meets White House national security adviser Sullivan

Updated 19 May 2024
Follow

Saudi crown prince meets White House national security adviser Sullivan

  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received the US official in Dhahran
  • Their discussions included Saudi-US strategic relations, the Gaza War and Palestinian statehood

DHAHRAN:  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan in eastern city of Dhahran, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

During the meeting, the strategic relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in various fields were reviewed, SPA said.

It said efforts to find a credible solution to the Palestinian issue, including a lasting ceasefire and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid in Gaza, with a view to a “two-state solution that meets the aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people”, were also discussed.


Greece’s prime minister receives Muslim World League chief in Athens

Updated 19 May 2024
Follow

Greece’s prime minister receives Muslim World League chief in Athens

RIYADH: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis received the secretary-general of the Muslim World League on Tuesday in Athens, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting, Mitsotakis and Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa discussed several topics of common interest.
Al-Issa, who is also chairman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, spoke about Islamic values that call for global peace and understanding between its peoples, and said he appreciated the warm reception he received during his visit and the good sentiments expressed regarding Islam’s contribution to civilization.
Al-Issa then met with Islamic officials in Greece, including muftis and imams, and visited the Athens Mosque, during which he expressed his pleasure with the additional dialogue that took place during the meeting.
He also met with Ieronymos II, the archbishop of Athens and all Greece, during which the two sides stressed the importance of the role of religious leaders in addressing all forms of religious, ethnic and societal conflicts around the world.