The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) is set to convene the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s first-ever Global Smart City Forum. Scheduled for February 12-13, this event will be held at the Arena Riyadh Venue for Exhibitions, where 80 renowned speakers from over 40 nations will participate in comprehensive discussions on the future of urban living.
Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, the President of SDAIA, emphasized that the forum will focus on the importance and concept of smart cities, as well as the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to play a crucial role in their development. He acknowledged the global trend of employing AI to enhance urban life and the swift progression of cutting-edge technological applications.
The initiative to organize this forum comes with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Chairman of SDAIA’s Board of Directors. Dr. Al-Ghamdi also underlined SDAIA’s central role in data and AI strategy, advancement, and execution within the Kingdom.
At the forum, attendees will engage in dialogues about the evolution of smart cities, the infrastructural hurdles they face, and the pursuit of innovative solutions to accommodate escalating urban populations globally.
Additionally, the event will demonstrate the advancements made by the Kingdom and other nations in the creation of smart cities, reflecting the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 and the Saudi Vision 2030.
The forum expects to attract more than 18,000 participants, both on-site and via digital platforms, creating an international hub for thought leaders specializing in smart city construction and AI technology.
The wide-ranging discussions at the forum will cover topics such as global city trends, the future of urban mobility, intelligent public services, strategies for building eco-friendly cities for the next century, the role of data in advancing smart cities, and promoting innovation.