Adnoc signs Microsoft deal to co-develop AI agents across its operations

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Microsoft signed deals to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across the oil major’s value chain and to power the tech company’s global AI and data centre growth.

Adnoc and Microsoft’s expanded agreement will include Masdar and XRG, who will develop sustainable energy projects and infrastructure to drive the expansion of Microsoft’s AI and data centres, Adnoc said on Sunday.

Adnoc and Microsoft will co-develop and embed AI agents to drive autonomous operations and boost efficiency, adding to Adnoc’s use of AI solutions across its operations.

Microsoft will also provide advanced AI tools and upskilling programmes, while both companies will explore “transformative” solutions for the energy sector.

Adnoc, Masdar and XRG are not only embedding AI into every layer of our operations – we are also advancing the energy systems that will power AI itself

Dr Sultan Al Jaber,
UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Adnoc’s managing director and group chief executive, executive chairman of XRG and chairman of Masdar

“As AI continues to reshape how value is created and enhanced across industries, Adnoc, Masdar and XRG are not only embedding AI into every layer of our operations – we are also advancing the energy systems that will power AI itself,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Adnoc’s managing director and group chief executive, executive chairman of XRG and chairman of Masdar.

“Through our partnership with Microsoft, we are unlocking new opportunities to fuel the future of AI, drive greater performance, and future-proof our business.”

One in five energy companies is now using agentic AI to automate complex decision-making, with cases of the technology being used in the sector increasing, a recent report has found.

About 88 per cent of executives believe AI has a very positive effect on energy and their relationship is now “symbiotic”, said the Powering Possible report from Adnoc and Microsoft released last week.

The study gathered insights from more than 850 global experts across energy, technology, AI, academia and finance, including those from ChatGPT maker OpenAI, France’s TotalEnergies and the International Energy Agency.

Adnoc was the first energy company to roll out generative AI enterprise-wide in November 2023 with Microsoft Copilot. Since then, more than 40,000 employees have completed AI training, with utilisation rates above 90 per cent and over 70,000 hours a month in productivity gained to date.

“No single company or industry can meet this moment alone,” said Brad Smith, vice chairman and president of Microsoft.

“Accelerating the transition to a more sustainable, secure, and inclusive energy future requires deep collaboration between governments, energy providers, technology companies, and innovators everywhere.”

The agreements were announced at the Enact Majlis in Abu Dhabi, before Adipec that starts on Monday.

At the same majlis, Adnoc and US start-up Gecko Robotics on Sunday signed three deals to explore using robotics and artificial intelligence across the oil major’s operations to boost efficiency and train Emiratis.

At the Enact Majlis on Sunday, Adnoc, Masdar and XRG gathered more than 100 global leaders from the energy, technology, investment and government sectors.

Dunki

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The Pope’s itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 – Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport

Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder’s Memorial

Tuesday, February 5 – Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

Persuasion

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THE SIXTH SENSE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills. 
Hunting park to luxury living
Land was originally the Bishop of London’s hunting park, hence the name
The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

More from Neighbourhood WatchStats at a glance:

Cost: 1.05 billion pounds (Dh 4.8 billion)

Number in service: 6

Complement 191 (space for up to 285)

Top speed: over 32 knots

Range: Over 7,000 nautical miles

Length 152.4 m

Displacement: 8,700 tonnes

Beam:   21.2 m

Draught: 7.4 m

COMPANY%20PROFILE

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More from Rashmee Roshan LallUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL

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Essentials

The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September. 
 

Abu Dhabi GP Saturday schedule

12.30pm GP3 race (18 laps)

2pm Formula One final practice 

5pm Formula One qualifying

6.40pm Formula 2 race (31 laps)

Other key dates

Finals draw: December 2

Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019

Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019

Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020

About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

How to apply for a drone permit
Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request
What are the regulations?
Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic

Power: 169bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Price: Dh54,500

On sale: now

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

The years Ramadan fell in May

Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A – Series B raise ongoing

Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.

Baftas 2020 winners

BEST FILM

1917 – Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Sam Mendes, Jayne-Ann Tenggren
THE IRISHMAN – Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Martin Scorsese, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
JOKER – Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD – David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh, Quentin Tarantino
PARASITE – Bong Joon-ho, Kwak Sin-ae

DIRECTOR

1917 – Sam Mendes
THE IRISHMAN – Martin Scorsese
JOKER – Todd Phillips
ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD – Quentin Tarantino
PARASITE – Bong Joon-ho

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM

1917 – Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
BAIT – Mark Jenkin, Kate Byers, Linn Waite
FOR SAMA – Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
ROCKETMAN – Dexter Fletcher, Adam Bohling, David Furnish, David Reid, Matthew Vaughn, Lee Hall
SORRY WE MISSED YOU  – Ken Loach, Rebecca O’Brien, Paul Laverty
THE TWO POPES – Fernando Meirelles, Jonathan Eirich, Dan Lin, Tracey Seaward, Anthony McCarten

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

THE FAREWELL – Lulu Wang, Daniele Melia
FOR SAMA – Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
PAIN AND GLORY – Pedro Almodóvar, Agustín Almodóvar
PARASITE – Bong Joon-ho
PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE – Céline Sciamma, Bénédicte Couvreur

LEADING ACTRESS

JESSIE BUCKLEY – Wild Rose
SCARLETT JOHANSSON – Marriage Story
SAOIRSE RONAN – Little Women
CHARLIZE THERON – Bombshell
RENÉE ZELLWEGER – Judy

LEADING ACTOR

LEONARDO DICAPRIO – Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
ADAM DRIVER – Marriage Story
TARON EGERTON – Rocketman
JOAQUIN PHOENIX – Joker
JONATHAN PRYCE – The Two Popes

SUPPORTING ACTOR

TOM HANKS – A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
ANTHONY HOPKINS – The Two Popes
AL PACINO – The Irishman
JOE PESCI – The Irishman
BRAD PITT – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

LAURA DERN – Marriage Story
SCARLETT JOHANSSON – Jojo Rabbit
FLORENCE PUGH – Little Women
MARGOT ROBBIE – Bombshell
MARGOT ROBBIE – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

THE IRISHMAN – Steven Zaillian
JOJO RABBIT – Taika Waititi
JOKER – Todd Phillips, Scott Silver
LITTLE WOMEN – Greta Gerwig
THE TWO POPES – Anthony McCarten

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

BOOKSMART – Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Katie Silberman
KNIVES OUT – Rian Johnson
MARRIAGE STORY – Noah Baumbach
ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD – Quentin Tarantino
PARASITE – Han Jin Won, Bong Joon ho

DOCUMENTARY

AMERICAN FACTORY – Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert
APOLLO 11 – Todd Douglas Miller
DIEGO MARADONA – Asif Kapadia
FOR SAMA – Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
THE GREAT HACK – Karim Amer, Jehane Noujaime

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER

BAIT – Mark Jenkin (Writer/Director), Kate Byers, Linn Waite (Producers)
FOR SAMA – Waad al-Kateab (Director/Producer), Edward Watts (Director)
MAIDEN – Alex Holmes (Director)
ONLY YOU – Harry Wootliff (Writer/Director)
RETABLO – Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio (Writer/Director)

ANIMATED FILM

FROZEN 2 – Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Peter Del Vecho
KLAUS – Sergio Pablos, Jinko Gotoh
A SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE: FARMAGEDDON – Will Becher, Richard Phelan, Paul Kewley
TOY STORY 4 – Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen

CASTING

JOKER – Shayna Markowitz
MARRIAGE STORY – Douglas Aibel, Francine Maisler
ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD – Victoria Thomas
THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD – Sarah Crowe
THE TWO POPES – Nina Gold

EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)

AWKWAFINA
JACK LOWDEN
KAITLYN DEVER
KELVIN HARRISON JR.
MICHEAL WARD

CINEMATOGRAPHY

1917 – Roger Deakins
THE IRISHMAN – Rodrigo Prieto
JOKER – Lawrence Sher
LE MANS ’66 – Phedon Papamichael
THE LIGHTHOUSE – Jarin Blaschke

EDITING

THE IRISHMAN – Thelma Schoonmaker
JOJO RABBIT – Tom Eagles
JOKER – Jeff Groth
LE MANS ’66 – Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker
ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD – Fred Raskin

COSTUME DESIGN

THE IRISHMAN – Christopher Peterson, Sandy Powell
JOJO RABBIT – Mayes C. Rubeo
JUDY – Jany Temime
LITTLE WOMEN – Jacqueline Durran
ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD – Arianne Phillips

PRODUCTION DESIGN

1917 – Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales
THE IRISHMAN – Bob Shaw, Regina Graves
JOJO RABBIT – Ra Vincent, Nora Sopková
JOKER – Mark Friedberg, Kris Moran
ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD – Barbara Ling, Nancy Haigh

SOUND

1917 – Scott Millan, Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate, Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson
JOKER – Tod Maitland, Alan Robert Murray, Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic
LE MANS ’66 – David Giammarco, Paul Massey, Steven A. Morrow, Donald Sylvester
ROCKETMAN – Matthew Collinge, John Hayes, Mike Prestwood Smith, Danny Sheehan
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER – David Acord, Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, Stuart Wilson, Matthew Wood

ORIGINAL SCORE

1917 – Thomas Newman
JOJO RABBIT – Michael Giacchino
JOKER – Hildur Guđnadóttir
LITTLE WOMEN – Alexandre Desplat
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER – John Williams

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS

1917 – Greg Butler, Guillaume Rocheron, Dominic Tuohy
AVENGERS: ENDGAME – Dan Deleeuw, Dan Sudick
THE IRISHMAN – Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Pablo Helman
THE LION KING – Andrew R. Jones, Robert Legato, Elliot Newman, Adam Valdez
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER – Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan, Dominic Tuohy

MAKE UP & HAIR

1917 – Naomi Donne
BOMBSHELL – Vivian Baker, Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan
JOKER – Kay Georgiou, Nicki Ledermann
JUDY – Jeremy Woodhead
ROCKETMAN – Lizzie Yianni Georgiou

BRITISH SHORT FILM

AZAAR – Myriam Raja, Nathanael Baring
GOLDFISH – Hector Dockrill, Harri Kamalanathan, Benedict Turnbull, Laura Dockrill
KAMALI – Sasha Rainbow, Rosalind Croad
LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL) – Carol Dysinger, Elena Andreicheva
THE TRAP – Lena Headey, Anthony Fitzgerald

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION

GRANDAD WAS A ROMANTIC – Maryam Mohajer
IN HER BOOTS – Kathrin Steinbacher
THE MAGIC BOAT  – Naaman Azh

Tamkeen’s offering
Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
Option 2: 50% across three years
Option 3: 30% across five years 
Zayed Sustainability PrizeEvacuations to France hit by controversy
Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsPOSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.

More from our neighbourhood series:Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain

West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership

UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby

COMPANY PROFILE

Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi

Total funding: Self funded

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