The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, is currently the epicenter of an international dialogue on urban innovation, as it hosts the first ever Global Smart City Forum. This event is a combined effort by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing. Its mission is to forge a path for the development of cities globally, with a special focus on enabling Saudi Arabia to spearhead data and AI-driven economies.
The forum features over 100 thought leaders from 40 nations, discussing under the theme A Better Life
. The attendees roster includes dignitaries, smart city and AI specialists, economic strategists, high-ranking officials, and international investors.
Initiating with a multimedia exhibition, the event showcased over 101 participants from diverse backgrounds, presenting the transformative journey cities are undertaking to become smarter and more AI-integrated. This evolution aims to cultivate a human-centric urban space conducive to enhanced living standards.
In his inaugural address, SDAIA President Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi emphasized the critical role of technology and data in fostering smart, resilient cities. He underscored the imperative of focusing on the welfare of citizens and residents. The forum’s objectives include envisioning the future of sustainable smart cities, propelling smart governance globally, and encouraging corporate investment in smart infrastructure.
Dr. Al-Ghamdi provided insights into recent accomplishments, such as reducing traffic congestion in Riyadh by 36% through the use of the national smart cities platform, Smart C. Additionally, he cited collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing urban aesthetics and the Hajj experience through AI-powered solutions.
He also unveiled the Smart Cities Accelerator, a program that has catalyzed business opportunities and market entry for numerous startups and academic teams, further bolstering the smart city ecosystem and sustainable development.
Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, in his speech, redefined the ‘smart cities’ concept as an ecosystem that amalgamates various municipal services and sectors to uplift living standards, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for urban prosperity and technological integration.
Ricard Zapatero, CEO of Fira de Barcelona, acknowledged the strategic partnership with SDAIA, which has fostered initiatives to elevate the quality of life through smart city policies. Echoing this sentiment, NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang detailed the AI advancements that are reshaping city management and sustainability.
President Yo-sik Kang of Seoul Digital Foundation expressed aspirations for NEOM and Saudi Vision 2030, advocating for continued collaboration between Korea and Saudi Arabia in leading smart city innovation.
The forum also included a dialogue session with Riyadh Region’s Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, who hinted at Riyadh’s upcoming mega projects poised to set a global benchmark across various sectors.