Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) is poised to host Saudi Arabia's inaugural Global Smart City Forum in Riyadh, scheduled for Feb. 12-13.

This groundbreaking event, set to unfold at the Arena Riyadh Venue for Exhibitions, will bring together 80 eminent speakers from over 40 countries, fostering dynamic discussions on the advancement of smart cities.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, president of SDAIA, underscored the forum's objective to illuminate the concept and importance of smart cities, particularly focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance urban living.

He emphasized the global trend of utilizing AI to improve citizen well-being and the rapid evolution of these technologies.

The forum is a direct result of the vision and directives of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman, who's also the chairman of SDAIA's Board of Directors.

Dr. Al-Ghamdi highlighted SDAIA’s crucial role as the Kingdom's authoritative body in data and AI organization, development, and operations.

The two-day forum will feature dialogue sessions dedicated to the future of smart cities, addressing the challenges of infrastructure development, and exploring innovative solutions for the urban population's growing needs.

A key focus will be the alignment of these developments with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, showcasing the progress made by the Kingdom and other nations in establishing smart cities, as part of the broader Saudi Vision 2030 initiative.

Anticipating over 18,000 attendees both physically and virtually, the forum aims to establish a global platform for smart city experts.

It will delve into a variety of pertinent topics, including the evolution of global cities, future urban mobility, smart public services, planning for eco-friendly cities, data-driven urban development, and fostering innovation in city planning and management.