Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI)

TOTAL industrial chair of research on artificial intelligence

The project’s goal is to radically enhance the simulation of flow through porous media application domain to boost forecasting capabilities to be able to increase oil recovery and production. The modeling of fluid dynamics in porous media will be addressed by focusing on improving learning mechanisms using different perspectives, from learning the form of differential equations from data to learning dynamical models with limited computing complexity. This project involves research on PINNs “Physics Informed Neural Networks”.

Research challenges

Computational fluid dynamics has capitalized on machine learning with dimensionality reduction techniques for computing low rank modes and subspaces that characterize spatio-temporal data flows. This allowed reducing computational cost of simulations while enabling physically interpretable models. However, these methods suffer from limitations, e.g., they cannot capture transient behaviors or integrate multiple resolutions. Deep learning offers a new data driven approach to the modeling of dynamical systems underlying natural observations. This has recently given rise to a new and prolific research topic focused on exploiting deep learning methods for modeling spatio-temporal dynamics.

THALES industrial chair of research on artificial intelligence

This joint programme with Thales will develop advanced expertise in the field of hybrid AI applied to sensors and its use within the design and implementation of digital twins. It will first focus on the reconfiguration of digital antenna beam training in case of transmitter/receiver failures. This theme will tackle hybrid AI issues through the integration of physical models of antenna and machine-learning-based models using representative measurements of the coupling between transmitter/receiver modules, or between radar faces. It will then deal with the design of search modes for collaborative proactive radars. In order to optimize the operational performance of detection, the objective will be to develop a tool for designing grids and waveforms for monitoring functions, based on radar’s digital twin. As an example, methods of Reinforcement Learning relying on the emulation of scenarios by the digital twin will be explored.

InterPARES Trust AI

A multi-national interdisciplinary project aiming to design, develop, and leverage Artificial Intelligence to support the ongoing availability and accessibility of trustworthy public records by forming a sustainable, ongoing partnership producing original research, training students and other highly qualified personnel (HQP), and generating a virtuous circle between academia, archival institutions, government records professionals, and industry, a feedback loop reinforcing the knowledge and capabilities of each party.

Series of Webinars on various topics, “AI in Action”

Periodically in collaboration with SCAI Paris, SCAI Abu Dhabi broadcasts a series of webinars called “AI in action” on the diverse application fields of AI. For each webinar, one renown expert presents how AI is implemented in his/her field of expertise and exchange with the public. The webinars last approximately one hour and are aimed at a large audience: students, professionals, managers, engineers…

GITEX GLOBAL 2023, “the year to imagine AI in everything”

SCAI Abu Dhabi has been selected as “supporting association”.

Bachelor in Mathematics, Specialisation in Data Science for Artificial Intelligence

The Bachelor in Mathematics, Specialization in Data Science for Artificial Intelligence, is a three-year intensive, high-level programme taught in English. The programme aims to address the needs of the fourth industrial revolution brought about by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The programme provides students with state-of-the-art knowledge and competencies in Mathematics, Data Science and Machine Learning. It offers a carefully devised blend of traditional lecture/tutorial/lab tuition and more innovative, project-based learning. This produces graduates who are able to successfully apply their skills in the various fields of AI.

Graduates of this programme are especially well-equipped to start an Academic/Research career by pursuing a Master’s and a PhD in fields related to Mathematics, Data Science and Machine Learning in renowned research institution.

Professional Training in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence was launched in 2020 and based in Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, this high-level training in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, taught in English, offers a uniquely devised blend of lectures and practical classes, specifically tailored to the needs of the twenty-first century professional.

This executive program, aims to train students on the principal data science techniques used in actuarial mathematics, with a focus on recent developments and evolutions linked to artificial intelligence. It is adapted for actuaries needing to understand new methods of machine learning, and for data scientists wanting to understand how to apply these techniques to the context of insurance with practical applications in the field of, health insurance, Re insurance and portfolio management.

SCAI also offers tailor-made professional training at the request of companies and public and private organizations.

ADIA

As artificial intelligence becomes a key component of competitiveness, organisations are striving to upskill their workforce in the field of AI. A series of certificates in Applied Mathematics, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for Finance have been specifically designed for ADIA employees who wish to enter a master’s in data science and artificial intelligence. These certificates run part time enabling participants to retain some professional activity within their business units and the opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills within their professional environment.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between SCAI /SUAD and DOH on 26 September 2022.The MOU states that both entities will explore collaborations in 4 specific areas:

• Research in the healthcare area: research programs to develop valuable IP for the health system in the UAE
• Applied AI solutions: specific solutions of applied AI, drawing on the expertise of SCAI in France
• Education: upskill employees of the healthcare sector and build AI capabilities to drive the AI transformation of the healthcare sector in the UAE in coordination of the healthcare facilities
• Community engagement: develop and manage an “AI in healthcare” community to expand on thought leadership in the field

ADIA Lab, the independent research institute dedicated to basic and applied research in data and computational sciences, commenced operations today, the 51st National Day of the UAE. As part of its launch, the Lab announced the composition of its Advisory Board, the details of its first academic collaborations, and launched a US$ 100,000 research award.

Academic Collaborations

In pursuit of its wide-ranging objectives, ADIA Lab explores collaborations with academic institutions, industry, and international partners. In line with this approach, ADIA Lab has reached agreements with a number of domestic and international universities to conduct a range of activities, including joint research projects, academic programmes, internship opportunities, publications, seminars and other forms of collaborations.

To date, agreements have been reached with the following organisations:

• Khalifa University of Science and Technology 
• Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
• New York University Abu Dhabi 
• University of Toronto Canada 
• Institut Louis Bachelier France

“One of the key drivers at ADIA Lab is our collaboration with leading academic institutions, both here in the UAE and globally, in support of the growth of Abu Dhabi as an international hub for technology and innovation,” said Dr. Simon. “We are proud to announce our first agreements today with leading domestic and international educational institutions, and we plan to expand our relationships in the coming weeks.”

SCAI AD endeavours to support innovation, through thought leadership, research programs , and through a strong involvement in the innovation ecosystem of Abu Dhabi and beyond. Several pathways to do so have been identified:

• Participate actively participation to ecosystem development activities
• Provide access to advisory resources, mentorship, and expert network
• Provide PhD opportunities to start ups
• Engage in knowledge sharing activities
• Attract talents and innovative start ups to the region through its partner network

In Paris, Sorbonne University is a founding member of the IHU – ICAN institute (Institute of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases located in the Piete Salpetriere hospital), bringing data science expertise to support healthcare professionals.

Today IHU-ICAN, supported by SCAI Paris has developed a strong expertise in the identification of early bio markers of cardio metabolic diseases and is keen to explore collaboration opportunities in the Middle East, a region crippled with these types of chronic pathologies. SCAI AD is a critical partner in setting up these collaborations with the local ecosystem with two objectives:

• Developing local capabilities through innovative AI projects to improve the approach to cardiometabolic diseases
• Validate the European findings through access to a different patient population

Abu Dhabi Stochastics Seminar

The Abu Dhabi Stochastics Seminar is a collaboration between Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and New York University and brings together researchers in a wide range of topics in pure and applied probability as well as Mathematical physics and related areas (e.g. Statistics and Machine learning).

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi signs MOU with Department of Health – Abu Dhabi

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), to enhance cooperation between the two parties on scientific research, AI-based concept development, education and community engagement in healthcare.

On Oct 6th 2021, SCAI organised an online conference for CCAD healthcare specialists to learn from the strong data science expertise deployed in various projects running in Paris in partnership with Paris public hospitals ( Pietie Salpetriere, APHP) .

Topics covered included notably:

• Breast cancer detection
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Health data hub
• AI in the field of Urology
• Etc..