Al Arabia, SCAI join forces to bid for Remat Al-Riyadh's billboard project

The partnership extends beyond advertising and includes utilizing cutting-edge technology to develop smart cities and enhance the urban landscape. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 17 May 2023
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Al Arabia, SCAI join forces to bid for Remat Al-Riyadh's billboard project

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence could be on its way to billboards in Riyadh after AI firm SCAI formed a strategic partnership with outdoor solutions company Al Arabia to bid for a contract in the city. 

The agreement will see the two businesses combine their resources and expertise by setting up a special-purpose company to improve their chances of winning the contract for Remat Al-Riyadh's outdoor billboard project. 

As part of its digital transformation strategy, Al Arabia aims to revolutionize traditional advertising by leveraging financial and technical expertise, while the Public Investment Fund-owned SCAI will contribute AI technology to drive innovation. 

The partnership extends beyond advertising and includes utilizing cutting-edge technology to develop smart cities and enhance the urban landscape.   

Al Arabia pointed out that this agreement marks the beginning of a new era, introducing the next generation of advertising billboards suitable for smart cities, Alarabiya reported.

The terms and provisions of the agreement will only become binding if Al Arabia secures the project. Until then, they are not considered enforceable by either party. 

SCAI aims to be the leading AI provider in the region with projects that go up to $206 million in value.    

Moreover, the Remat project, launched last month, aims to introduce new advertising formats on building facades, vacant lands and public transport, besides improving the urban landscape.  

This initiative aligns with Vision 2030’s Quality of Life program, which seeks to enhance individuals’ lifestyles and livability. 

The project is divided into two bundles. The first bundle offers three opportunities, including advertising on premium roads in Riyadh through building facades and vacant lands. The second bundle will be announced later this year. 


Silver crosses $77 mark while gold, platinum stretch record highs

Updated 27 December 2025
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Silver crosses $77 mark while gold, platinum stretch record highs

  • Spot silver touched an all-time high of $77.40 earlier today, marking a 167% year-to-date surge driven by supply deficits
  • Spot platinum rose 9.8% to $2,437.72 per ounce, while palladium surged 14 percent to $1,927.81, its highest level in over 3 years

Silver breached the $77 mark for the first time on Friday, while gold and platinum hit record highs, buoyed by expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts and geopolitical tensions that fueled safe-haven demand.

Spot silver jumped 7.5% to $77.30 per ounce, as of 1:53 p.m. ET (1853 GMT), after touching an all-time high of $77.40 earlier today, marking a 167% year-to-date surge driven by supply deficits, its designation ‌as a US ‌critical mineral, and strong investment inflows.

Spot gold ‌was ⁠up ​1.2% at $4,531.41 ‌per ounce, after hitting a record $4,549.71 earlier. US gold futures for February delivery settled 1.1% higher at $4,552.70.

“Expectations for further Fed easing in 2026, a weak dollar and heightened geopolitical tensions are driving volatility in thin markets. While there is some risk of profit-taking before the year-end, the trend remains strong,” said Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist ⁠at Zaner Metals.

Markets are anticipating two rate cuts in 2026, with the first likely ‌around mid-year amid speculation that US President Donald ‍Trump could name a dovish ‍Fed chair, reinforcing expectations for a more accommodative monetary stance.

The US ‍dollar index was on track for a weekly decline, enhancing the appeal of dollar-priced gold for overseas buyers.

On the geopolitical front, the US carried out airstrikes against Daesh militants in northwest Nigeria, Trump said on Thursday.

“$80 in ​silver is within reach by year-end. For gold, the next objective is $4,686.61, with $5,000 likely in the first half of next ⁠year,” Grant added.

Gold remains poised for its strongest annual gain since 1979, underpinned by Fed policy easing, central bank purchases, ETF inflows, and ongoing de-dollarization trends.

On the physical demand side, gold discounts in India widened to their highest in more than six months this week as a relentless price rally curbed retail buying, while discounts in China narrowed sharply from last week’s five-year highs.

Elsewhere, spot platinum rose 9.8% to $2,437.72 per ounce, having earlier hit a record high of $2,454.12 while palladium surged 14% to $1,927.81, its highest level in more than three years.

All precious ‌metals logged weekly gains, with platinum recording its strongest weekly rise on record.