Smart Dubai, IBM in deal to set up data science lab

They will also work on organising Chief Data Officer Summit in Dubai next year

Smart Dubai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IBM to set up a data science lab and collaborate on organising the Chief Data Officer (CDO) Summit in Dubai in 2019.

The agreement was signed at the UN World Data Forum 2018 yesterday.

The lab will help develop data science skills in Dubai and foster collaboration among the data science community to identify and explore opportunities to boost the creation of a data ecosystem. IBM will provide skills and expertise on data science, artificial intelligence and data analytics.

Smart Dubai will provide a physical location for the lab, host a quarterly data science think-tank event, communicate with government entities, promote training and engagement with government entities to enable data science projects, conduct a data science hackathon; and manage an internship programme in the lab for Emiratis.

IBM aims to support the lab in carrying out pilot projects and assessing feasibility.