November 6, 2024, Barcelona – The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) underscored the transformative role of emerging technologies in shaping urban environments and enhancing the quality of life within smart cities at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. The event, held from November 5 to 7, brings together over 600 influential speakers, including government officials, executives from leading companies, innovation experts, city representatives, and academics from more than 850 cities across 130 countries. The congress serves as a platform to share groundbreaking insights into the future of urban living, with a focus on smart technologies and their potential to revolutionize everyday life.
During a highly anticipated panel discussion, Dr. Sattam Al-Subaiee, the Chief Executive of SDAIA, highlighted the importance of advanced technologies in the creation of smart city infrastructure that prioritizes the well-being of residents. He emphasized how these technologies not only improve daily life but also contribute to broad societal benefits, including job creation, enhanced healthcare services, reduced energy consumption, advancements in education, and an overall improvement in the quality of life. Dr. Al-Subaiee elaborated on the critical role that data-driven digital services play in optimizing urban environments, with particular focus on leveraging AI technologies to stay ahead of the rapid pace of urbanization and technological evolution.
SDAIA has made significant strides in driving the digital transformation of Saudi Arabia’s cities, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030 to create more efficient, sustainable, and interconnected urban spaces. Among the key initiatives highlighted by Dr. Al-Subaiee were several pioneering platforms and digital tools designed to enhance citizen services and promote greater collaboration between government entities. These include the “Tawakkalna” app, which has become an essential tool for managing public health and safety in the Kingdom, the Smart C national platform for developing smart city infrastructure, the “DEEM” government cloud, and the “Estishraf” platform, a forward-looking tool that integrates AI and big data to support long-term planning and policy development. Other notable initiatives discussed included the national charity platform “Ehsan,” the “Sawaher” platform for urban management, and the Unified National Access platform, all of which are designed to create a seamless digital experience for citizens while optimizing the delivery of government services.
In a separate panel discussion, Dr. Hotham Al-Twaijri, Assistant Director for Advanced Recognition Technologies and Digital Identity at SDAIA, spoke about the critical role of digital identity applications in the development of secure and interconnected smart cities. He pointed to the successful implementation of the “Nafath” application, which integrates cutting-edge AI and data technologies to provide secure digital identity services across Saudi Arabia. Dr. Al-Twaijri stressed that digital identity is the cornerstone of a truly smart city, enabling seamless, trustworthy interactions between citizens and government services, while also fostering the adoption of other advanced technologies such as blockchain and AI. By building a reliable digital identity infrastructure, the Kingdom is paving the way for a future where residents can engage with urban services in a secure, efficient, and transparent manner.
The Saudi delegation’s participation in this prestigious international forum reflects SDAIA’s broader mission to represent Saudi Arabia on the global stage in the fields of data and artificial intelligence. Through its active engagement at the Smart City Expo, SDAIA seeks to showcase the Kingdom’s leadership in the deployment of emerging technologies, positioning the nation as a key player in the global effort to leverage data and AI for societal advancement. The Authority’s ongoing commitment to innovation and its robust suite of digital initiatives are in direct alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom at the forefront of technological development while improving the overall quality of life for its citizens.
SDAIA’s presence at the Smart City Expo World Congress also highlights the Kingdom’s vision of fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange, with a focus on maximizing the societal benefits of AI and data technologies. As smart cities continue to evolve and define the future of urban living, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to embracing these innovations will play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable, connected, and prosperous future for both the Kingdom and the world at large.
