Saudi Arabia launches a national portal for urban landscape improvement
A nationwide site aiming at improving Saudi Arabia's urban landscape has been jointly presented by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
The Global Smart City Forum 2024 opened its doors on Monday in Riyadh, coinciding with the inauguration event. This two-day conference provides a forum for talking about developments in smart city initiatives. It is organised by SDAIA in association with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.
The portal's main goal is to use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect and correct visual abnormalities in metropolitan environments. In the end, it will help realise the objectives stated in Vision 2030 and improve the standard of living for locals by analysing data to pinpoint areas in need of development.
The forum, which commenced in Riyadh on Monday, convenes an esteemed gathering of global experts specialising in smart city development and AI. Together, they aim to craft a forward-looking vision for cities, leveraging intelligent solutions while establishing essential guidelines to bolster sustainable urban growth and enhance living standards.
During his opening remarks, Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing, Majed Al-Hogail, emphasised Saudi Arabia's transformative journey, leveraging AI and data to effect meaningful change in municipalities. He underscored the nation's commitment to harnessing technology for tangible urban improvements.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, President of SDAIA, highlighted the successful implementation of advanced analytics and AI solutions in traffic and crowd management. This initiative notably reduced waiting times at entry points to Makkah during the recent Hajj season, demonstrating effective collaboration between SDAIA and the Ministry of Interior.
In addition, Saudi Arabia's commitment to using technology for sustainable development and urban improvement is demonstrated by the opening of the national portal and the holding of the Global Smart City Forum. The country is well-positioned to accomplish its lofty goals for urban growth and improve the general standard of living for its people by working together and coming up with creative solutions.
