UAE to develop open source AI with $300M Falcon Foundation launch

UAE-based Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a global research center and Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council pillar, has launched the Falcon Foundation to advance open-source generative AI models and create sustainable ecosystems, with a $300 million funding commitment.

Launched at the World Governments Summit 2024, the Falcon Foundation aims to establish transparent governance models and promote knowledge exchange in response to the continued growth of AI, according to Wamda.

Starting with TII's Falcon AI models, the Foundation will engage stakeholders, developers, academia, industry and individuals to promote collaborative decision making among contributors. To accelerate the democratisation of AI, the Falcon Foundation works with prominent AI professors and industry players.

“In a world where AI continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, initiatives like the Falcon Foundation play a crucial role in steering the trajectory of AI development towards greater transparency and accessibility,” said, Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of ATRC.

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By providing open computing resources for the research and development of Falcon AI, the Foundation aims to foster a robust ecosystem by ensuring the adaptability of Falcon models to different applications and contexts and customising them for specific industries.

"We're committed to fostering transparency and collaboration in AI. Extending the UAE's collaborative spirit into AI development, we set new standards for openness, and we encourage all other entities that support open source from around the world to join us," said Dr Ray O Johnson, CEO of TII.

To ensure business continuity and promote independent technology choices, the Falcon Foundation will support responsible open source AI. Its AI regulatory framework will use global best practices, minimising vendor dependency.