By Khalidh Rizwan
Saudi Arabia’s Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) is organizing the world’s first Smart City Forum, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from February 2 to 13. The event, hosted at the Arena Riyadh Venue for Exhibitions, will showcase insights from 80 distinguished speakers representing over 40 countries.
SDAIA Chairman Dr. Abdullah Bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi commented on the event, stating, “This global forum aims to raise awareness about smart cities, emphasizing their significance and the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in city development.” He noted the Kingdom’s interest in organizing the forum in alignment with the directives of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SDAIA. Additionally, Al-Ghamdi underscored SDAIA’s crucial role as the national benchmark for data and AI system development, highlighting its impactful activities in Saudi Arabia.
Countries worldwide, recognizing the swift advancement of cutting-edge technologies, are actively adopting and developing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the quality of life for their citizens. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is no exception to this trend.
The forum will host discussions and sessions focusing on the future of smart cities. Topics will encompass challenges related to infrastructure and explore innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of urban populations worldwide.
The forum will additionally showcase the advancements made by Saudi Arabia and other nations in the development of smart cities, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the year 2030.
The forum aims to convene over 18,000 attendees, both physically and virtually, creating a global platform for smart cities. It will unite experts worldwide specializing in the development of smart cities and AI technologies.
The forum will delve into diverse subjects, encompassing global cities, the future trajectory of urban mobility, intelligent public services, strategic planning for the development of data-driven and environmentally sustainable smart cities in the coming century, and the implementation of cutting-edge innovations. The various Saudi initiatives in the fields of AI and technology align with the country’s Vision 2030 plan.