The Department of Municipalities and Transport-Abu Dhabi has launched Abu Dhabi Dark Sky Policy that aims to preserve the night sky and foster a sustainable future for communities throughout the emirate. As part of the endeavour’s roll out, an extensive awareness campaign will be launched under the theme Discover the Beauty of Abu Dhabi’s Sky, to educate residents and visitors about the importance of preserving the night sky.

The initiative is the first of its kind in the region and seeks to address the escalating concern of light pollution by presenting a blueprint for responsible lighting practices. Aligned with the global endeavours of the International Dark Sky Association, the policy’s multifaceted approach includes the promotion of sustainable lighting systems, protecting the natural environment and wildlife, supporting scientific research in the field of astronomy, enhancing public health, and promoting sustainable development.

In a groundbreaking development, Zepth, an innovative global tech startup and leader in construction management SaaS software, today announced the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its platform, marking a transformative leap in the industry. The integration will see Zepth deploy 40 AI agents to reach an artificial general intelligence (AGI) status where its machine will have human-level intelligence — a first-of-its-kind endeavour in the Middle East and worldwide. 

Under the leadership of Founder Prasoon Shrivastava, Zepth is redefining the construction landscape. “Zepth stands at the forefront of the AI revolution, redefining the common-data environment with AGI-driven human-level intelligence. Our platform epitomizes intelligence, simplicity, and efficiency, designed for the modern world. Zepth’s AI-driven solutions are delivering extraordinary efficiency and precision to clients globally. The traditional Big Tech solutions, while once groundbreaking, now lag in a rapidly changing world. They are complex relics of a bygone era — no longer the best fit for today’s dynamic industry needs,” said Shrivastava.

The pioneering product, the AI Risk Manager, will harness the power of AGI, with 40 AI agents proactively identifying potential risks, collaborating with each other, carrying out likelihood and impact assessments, and assisting in mitigation plans for the identified risks, to enable project managers to make data-driven decisions. This revolutionary tool is a testament to Zepth’s commitment to innovation and excellence, ensuring project success even in the most challenging environments. AGI comprises intelligent agents with human-like capabilities to carry out a range of tasks, including in construction. 

Zepth is ambitiously expanding its AI ecosystem to include hundreds of specialized agents, each designed to adapt to the complex, ever-changing demands of construction management. The first-of-its-kind endeavour not only reaffirms Zepth’s leadership in the software domain but also spotlights the ingenuity and influence of technological advances globally. The UAE, with its multiple government-led initiatives in smart buildings and cities, presents a strong appetite for AI-driven construction management solutions like Zepth. 

Reaffirming the company’s mission of empowering the developer community, Founder Prasoon Shrivastava said the journey that Zepth is charting is clear: In the world of construction, Zepth stands as the embodiment of advanced intelligence, driving an industry towards unparalleled efficiency. “The UAE’s demonstrated track record of futuristic and innovative developments has inspired us to embrace AI as much as it has incentivized us to be a part of the region’s next growth phase.”

In a significant development, Elon Musk’s social media platform, formerly known as Twitter and now rebranded as “X,” is poised to introduce video and audio calling features. The announcement was made by Musk himself on August 31, when he took to the platform to declare, “Video & audio calls coming to X.”

This move is part of Musk’s broader vision to transform X into what he calls an “everything app.” Notably, these features will be accessible across a range of operating systems, including iOS, Android, Mac, and PC. Importantly, users won’t be required to share their phone numbers to avail themselves of these communication capabilities. According to Musk, the app is being positioned as an “effective global address book,” emphasizing its multifaceted utility.

Video & audio calls coming to X:

– Works on iOS, Android, Mac & PC
– No phone number needed
– X is the effective global address book

That set of factors is unique.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 31, 2023

Beyond the communication enhancements, Musk also elaborated on X’s role as a global address book. This announcement comes on the heels of changes to X’s privacy policy, which now includes the collection of biometric data. However, it has refrained from providing a precise definition of what it deems as “biometric” data. Traditionally, this term encompasses data derived from an individual’s facial features, eyes, and fingerprints. Additionally, reports from Bloomberg indicate that the app intends to gather information concerning users’ employment and educational backgrounds.

The updated privacy policy of X states, “Based on your consent, we may collect and use your biometric information for safety, security, and identification purposes.” This marks a significant expansion in the scope of data collection and utilization on the platform.

As X continues to evolve and expand its offerings, it appears poised to diversify its services well beyond its initial identity as a micro blogging platform. The introduction of video and audio calling, coupled with its positioning as a comprehensive address book, underscores Musk’s ambition to make X an integral part of users’ digital lives. The platform’s growing foray into data collection and utilization also raises important questions about privacy and data security, which will likely be closely scrutinized as these changes take effect.