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How Kuwait’s new HPC and AI platform ‘IKARUS’ works and who can use it

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KUWAIT: Accredited researchers in Kuwait will soon have access to IKARUS, the country’s first high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence platform, giving them the tools to analyze massive datasets, run complex simulations, and explore innovative solutions across medicine, engineering, and urban planning.

Developed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and unveiled last week, IKARUS provides a national infrastructure for storing and processing data locally, without reliance on external platforms. “This gives researchers the speed, security, and control they need to tackle complex projects,” said Tahani Hussein, technical manager of the platform, in an interview with state television’s Good Evening Kuwait program.

High-performance computing platforms like IKARUS connect thousands of compute servers operating in parallel. While a typical laptop can perform billions of calculations per second, IKARUS handles hundreds of trillions — enabling studies and simulations that previously took months or years to be completed in a fraction of the time.

Hussein said the platform has great potential in multiple fields. In medicine, it can analyze lab results to predict diseases and suggest tailored treatments using AI. In engineering and urban planning, it can simulate traffic patterns and model solutions for Kuwait’s chronic traffic congestion. IKARUS can also be used to test smart city concepts virtually investing in physical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity layers

To protect sensitive research, the platform uses multiple layers of cybersecurity, strict access controls, encryption protocols. “Only authorized users can reach the data, and even technical staff cannot view researchers’ private datasets,” Hussein said.

It’s also equipped with a system which continuously monitors access attempts, and if an individual tries to log in three or four times unsuccessfully, the system automatically blocks their account. “If the attempts persist from the same country, the system can even block access from the entire country,” said Hussein. This ensures sensitive data and intellectual property remain secure within Kuwait.

Access to IKARUS is currently restricted to accredited researchers in Kuwait. Interested individuals must apply through KISR’s online portal, complete a training course, and receive official approval before using the system. Different procedures exist for individual researchers and projects helmed by large institutions.

Hussein noted that the training requirement is essential to ensure researchers can “make proper use of the system’s capabilities” and benefit fully from its tools. She added that workshops and courses will be announced throughout the year to expand awareness and usage of the new platform.

With IKARUS, Kuwait can now complete more research projects and pursue initiatives that were previously impossible due to limited resources. “This opens the door to broader scientific innovation and allows projects that were once impossible to become feasible,” Hussein said.

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ZAHI joins talabat as the platform expands offering beyond food

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KUWAIT: Building on its commitment to supporting local brands and expanding its services to cater to the diverse needs of its customers, talabat, the leading on-demand online ordering and delivery platform in the MENA region, announced that all ZAHI home fragrance products are now on the platform. By strategically partnering with an ever-growing diverse range of emerging sectors, talabat is redefining the very essence of convenience, offering unparalleled and seamless access to an extensive ecosystem of products that enrich and simplify every facet of daily life.

The new partnership was announced in a signing ceremony held at Grand Hyatt Kuwait on September 8, underscoring talabat’s commitment to supporting homegrown businesses and enabling entrepreneurs to flourish in Kuwait’s vigorous digital economy through its wide network of logistics partners, advanced digital infrastructure and fast, reliable delivery services.

In line with its expansion strategy, talabat is moving beyond food and everyday essentials by introducing a wider selection of lifestyle products that reflect the evolving needs of today’s modern consumer. This move demonstrates talabat’s commitment to meeting evolving expectations for fast, seamless and convenient access to an increasingly diverse range of offerings.

On this occasion, Bader Al-Ghanim, Vice President and Managing Director of talabat Kuwait, said: “Our partnership with ZAHI comes as part of our ongoing efforts to expand the range of services we offer on our platform, aligned with the growing needs of our customers and the evolving nature of their lifestyles. We remain dedicated to supporting promising local brands, and through this collaboration, we seek to strengthen the presence of Kuwaiti ventures in the e-commerce space, enabling them to grow and scale. This stems from our strong belief that their success is inherently an extension of our own.”

On his part, Khaled Alajeel, Managing Partner of ZAHI, said: “With the help of an end-to-end logistics and tech-enabled delivery partner like talabat, we are delighted to increase accessibility to ZAHI products across Kuwait and reach customers wherever they are, while preserving the quality and craftsmanship that define our brand. Our artisan diffusers and home perfumes are thoughtfully designed to capture the unique experience Kuwait offers those who call it home, giving customers a wide range of scents that add an air of welcome, warmth and character to their spaces.”

It serves to note that talabat has been strategically expanding its partner portfolio beyond traditional food and FMCG categories, tapping into emerging sectors to serve a broader and more diverse customer base. From food to fragrance, talabat is redefining convenience and ease to keep pace with today’s fast-moving lifestyle, while remaining committed to connecting customers with their favorite every day, right away.

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Namaa Charity launches ‘Humanitarian Hub’ to boost non-profit sector

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KUWAIT: Namaa Charity, an affiliate of the Social Reform Society, on Tuesday launched the Humanitarian Hub platform (https://humanitarian-hub.org), designed to equip charitable institutions with modern tools that enhance efficiency and enable a shift from short-term relief to long-term sustainable impact. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Namaa Charity CEO Saad Al-Otaibi said the initiative coincides with the anniversary of Kuwait being designated by the United Nations as a “Humanitarian Hub.”

He described the platform as “a bridge between thought and practice,” offering advanced cognitive and applied tools to strengthen transparency, governance, innovation and financial sustainability across the non-profit sector. Al-Otaibi noted that the platform will feature a range of projects and resources, including Humanitarian Hub Magazine as a regular publication on emerging trends, practical guides such as the “AI in Charitable Work” manual, and digital tools like an impact analysis mechanism and a performance dashboard to track operational and financial indicators in real time.

KUWAIT: Namaa Charity on Tuesday launched the Humanitarian Hub platform (https://humanitarian-hub.org), designed to equip charitable institutions with modern tools that enhance efficiency and enable a shift from short-term relief to long-term sustainable impact. - KUNA photos

KUWAIT: Namaa Charity on Tuesday launched the Humanitarian Hub platform (https://humanitarian-hub.org), designed to equip charitable institutions with modern tools that enhance efficiency and enable a shift from short-term relief to long-term sustainable impact. – KUNA photos

The platform will also host events, specialized seminars and an annual conference. Deputy CEO Abdulaziz Al-Kandari said the project reflects Namaa’s commitment to building a modern knowledge ecosystem for the non-profit field. He explained that the platform will provide charities with advanced analytical tools to measure the impact of their initiatives and design sustainable funding strategies. — KUNA

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Committee reviews efforts to counter cyber threats

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KUWAIT: The meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity Bodies and Centers kicked off in Kuwait with the participation of heads of national cybersecurity authorities from across the Gulf. Chaired by Kuwait, the meeting will address a range of issues aimed at strengthening the region’s cybersecurity system, including executive action plans, cooperation mechanisms, exchange of expertise and joint initiatives to boost digital protection and ensure the continuity of vital services.

Participants will also review ongoing Gulf efforts to counter growing cyber threats, while discussing ways to develop digital infrastructure, enhance national capacities and follow up on the implementation of previous resolutions and future plans. The gathering marks an important step toward unifying Gulf efforts and enhancing integration in the field of cybersecurity, thereby supporting the protection of shared national interests and safeguarding the stability of cyberspace across GCC countries. — KUNA

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