RIYADH: Smart city initiatives in the Kingdom will be boosted following a partnership deal by the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Co. and the Saudi Co. for Artificial Intelligence.
The collaboration aims to implement a new project to enhance the district’s future operations and serve as a model for similar programs in the Kingdom, according to a press note.
The partnership, signed by Gautam Sashittal, CEO of KAFD DMC, and Abdulaziz Al-Muammar, interim CEO of SCAI, will focus on deploying smart traffic and mobility solutions within the district.
“Amidst the global surge toward intelligent mobility solutions, KAFD stands as a beacon, attracting hundreds of thousands of urban dwellers seeking an optimal blend of living, work, and play,” Sashittal said.
“Our smart city blueprint offers a future-proof pathway toward creating a 10-minute hub featuring seamless connectivity and unmatched safety and sustainability, and this collaboration with SCAI is pivotal in realizing the Kingdom’s ambition of building 200 smart cities with the goal of unlocking innovation, opportunities, and long-term value,” he added.
The Smart Traffic Management platform, developed in conjunction with SCAI, will utilize data-driven approaches to monitor traffic flow efficiently.
It will also provide real-time and predictive information and lay the foundation for a robust data analytics system.
Additionally, the project includes the integration of a Mobility-as-a-Service platform, which will utilize user transportation patterns to inform future planning.
By collaborating with public and private transportation providers and integrating with KAFD’s digital solutions, MaaS aims to enhance the end-user experience for visitors, residents, and tenants.
“We are incredibly excited to join forces with KAFD, one of the Kingdom’s most ambitious projects and a major future driver of economic growth and diversification. Through our expertise, we will help empower the district with community-focused AI solutions, resulting in exponential improvements across a wide range of sectors and an overall better quality of life,” Al-Muammar said.
KAFD’s comprehensive smart city strategy seeks to intelligently manage critical infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the customer experience by leveraging data analysis.
As one of Riyadh’s prominent hubs for business, entertainment, and modern living, KAFD is driving economic transformation and redefining urban living with its offices, facilities, and luxury residences spanning 1.6 million sq. meters.
Wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, SCAI was launched to support the firm’s strategic goals in boosting AI technology in the Kingdom.
