JEDDAH: Disruptive technologies are increasingly becoming part of the day-to-day life at personal and professional levels, participants of a panel discussion said Thursday at the Global IT Summit at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
Panel session participants suggested that the involvement of technology in daily life is inevitable and necessary for advancement in science and technology.
“Every single area of science is demanding more computing power,” said Steven Scott CTO of Cray at a panel discussing the future of supercomputing and high performing computing (HPC).
Learning how to thrive in a digitally disruptive world and being able to imagine how advanced technology will affect lives is a must. To Charles Araujo, principal analyst at Intellyx and founder of the Institute for Digital Transformation, the constant exploration of the future is one of the most important things individuals can do as a company.
“Everyone in your organization needs to become a futurist and be someone who is in a constant state of exploration,” he said at a session entitled “Thriving in a Digitally Disrupted World.”
Araujo described today’s age as the “chaos age” where individuals need to imagine the future and be prepared for the intervention of technology.
KAUST is home to Shaheen II, the seventh fastest supercomputer in the world, as announced at the International Computing Conference in Frankfurt in July 2015. It was a seed planted by late King Abdullah.
“What we have accomplished after seven years of existence is remarkable,” said Jean-Lou Chameau, president of KAUST, in a keynote at the second day of the Global IT Summit. “There is no university I believe in modern ages that was able to develop so quickly and so well.”
Chameau said that KAUST is fortunate that the late king had a vision to make an impact. Philanthropy was a cornerstone in sustaining the university where students from around the world pursue their masters and doctorate degrees.
This, he said, gives flexibility to students and researchers to pursue their education given the financial support.
“When I meet with potential candidates here I encourage them to take high risks, try to look at issues you don’t know anything about,” he added.
‘Chaos age’ requires futurists to protect business: Panel
‘Chaos age’ requires futurists to protect business: Panel
Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah nature reserves win Dark Sky recognition
- The two reserves in AlUla join more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution
- AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve, also both in AlUla, received Dark Sky Park designations last year
ALULA: Two more nature reserves in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla have won recognition as Dark Sky Places, joining more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution.
The official accreditation of Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah reserves from the DarkSky International builds on AlUla’s 2024 achievement, when AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve became the first sites in the Kingdom and the Gulf region to receive Dark Sky Park designations.
The latest recognition further strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for night sky protection and astronomical tourism, said the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Dark Sky International also announced the recognition in an earlier report, noting that the Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah’s combined area of 6,146 square kilometers reflects the “expanded scope of environmental protection efforts aimed at preserving AlUla’s pristine night skies and reducing light pollution across a vast geographical area.”
DarkSky International works to reduce light pollution in both urban and rural areas and to raise global awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky.
AlUla’s protected areas are located in the heart of northwest Arabia, near the ancient oasis city of AlUla in Madinah Province.
“Towering sandstone cliffs, labyrinthine canyons, tranquil basins, and volcanic formations create a dramatic setting where geological diversity, cultural heritage, and thriving biodiversity converge beneath exceptionally dark, open skies,” Dark Sky said.
Scientists have noted that AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences.
With the phased development of its reserves, AlUla is now ranked 3rd globally in the Dark Sky Park category, solidifying its status as one of the world’s premier destinations for astronomical discovery.
The RCU reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the natural environment, preserving the night sky, and promoting sustainable tourism, further positioning AlUla as a leading global destination for astronomy, scientific research, and advanced environmental experiences, in line with AlUla Vision and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
