RIYADH: Smart cities have become an essential part of Saudi Arabia’s urban development priorities, reflecting the Kingdom’s dedication to using technology for sustainable urban growth.
As part of the Kingdom’s strategic vision for digital transformation and urban development, Smart Cities Saudi Expo is set to take place from Sept. 24-26 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Saudi Arabia, as the fastest growing G20 economy according to the IMF, is experiencing a rapid surge in its urban population, with about 85 percent of its population living in metropolitan areas.
The Kingdom’s infrastructure ecosystem is rapidly evolving with the increasing population, and the need for smarter, more sustainable and technologically enabled cities has grown rapidly, resulting in significant shifts in demographics, infrastructure demands and urban planning strategies.
Smart Cities Saudi Expo will play an important role in advancing the Kingdom’s journey toward intelligent smart city development. It will create avenues for business engagement and facilitate networking with those at the cutting-edge of smart city delivery.
“The inaugural Smart Cities Saudi Expo will empower cognitive living in Saudi Arabia by showcasing innovative and intelligent solutions tailored for cognitive environments,” Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president of dmg events, which is the organizer of the expo, told Arab News.
“With a growing demand for urban living in the Kingdom, the event aligns with the nation’s commitment to advancing smart city initiatives and propelling urban transformation with the seamless integration of human, robotic and citizen solutions,” he said.
The integration of digital solutions into infrastructure development is vital for building smart cities, with smart infrastructure encompassing intelligent transportation systems, energy-efficient buildings, smart grids and sustainable waste management.
These advances improve resource management, reduce environmental impact and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
At Smart Cities Saudi Expo, local and international exhibitors from 25 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Greece, India, Poland and UAE, will showcase products and services supporting the Kingdom’s smart city ambition.
Saudi-based Meter, a digital platform providing innovative surveying and engineering solutions through modern technologies and artificial intelligence, has joined the event as the Silver Sponsor.
Participating exhibitors will showcase systems, solutions, products and services under dedicated product sectors such as digital economy, urban mobility and transport, smart building and infrastructure, smart governance, IT and telecoms, sustainability and environment and safety and security.
The event will spotlight intelligent traffic management, public transportation systems, electric and autonomous vehicles, smart parking solutions, building automation systems, smart lighting and energy management, building security and access control, video surveillance and analytics, emergency response systems, public safety sensors and alarms, e-government services, citizen engagement platforms and open data initiatives.
Saudi Arabia’s vision for future cities is taking shape through several giga projects such as NEOM, spearheaded by the Public Investment Fund, which is making significant advancements with the integration of AI, robotics and human intelligence to develop cutting-edge, digitally sustainable and cognitive cities.
“This progress has positioned the Kingdom as a hub for smart city innovations and technologies, further strengthening the need for Smart Cities Saudi Expo to empower cognitive living,” Kazi said.
The Smart Cities Expo is strategically timed amid substantial urban transformation under Saudi Vision 2030, prioritizing the development of smart, sustainable cities to enhance quality of life.
Smart Cities Expo empowers cognitive living in KSA amid urbanization wave
https://arab.news/c8yzx
Smart Cities Expo empowers cognitive living in KSA amid urbanization wave
- Exhibitors from 25 countries will showcase systems, solutions, products and services at Riyadh Exhibition Center from Sept. 24-26
- The Kingdom’s infrastructure ecosystem is rapidly evolving with the increasing population
Hundreds of non-native speakers take Saudi Arabia’s standardized Arabic test
- Total of 315 candidates from 22 countries take part
RIYADH: Hundreds of non-native speakers have been tested on their Arabic language skills in Saudi Arabia’s new standardized language test this week, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
A total of 315 candidates from 22 countries took the Hamza Arabic Language Test in person, which was conducted by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, in collaboration with seven Saudi universities.
The test is a computerized, codified test which measures the Arabic language proficiency of non-native speakers. It was first introduced in December 2023 and designed in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Seven tests have been administered since its introduction to evaluate the language skills of 1,979 people in Saudi Arabia, China, Indonesia, and India.
The test is part of KSGAAL’s endeavors to raise the status of the Arabic language locally, regionally, and internationally, according to Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi, the secretary-general of the KSGAAL.
Dr. Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the Educational Programs Sector at KSGAAL, told Arab News: “The increasing demand for learning Arabic for various educational, vocational, and cultural objectives has prompted the need to design a unified global test measuring the Arabic language proficiency that helps enroll in educational programs or meets the needs of the labor market.
“Since mastering language skills is a prerequisite for employment, KSGAAL seeks to enhance cooperation with the entities concerned with teaching the Arabic language to non-native speakers.”
The Hamza academic test is designed in accordance with the highest global standards, with a view to consolidating efforts and developing practices in teaching the Arabic language to non-native speakers, Al-Qahtani added, while also hoping that the test would become a reference for measuring the level of the Arabic language proficiency of non-native speakers locally, regionally, and internationally.
The universities participating were: Umm Al-Qura University, Islamic University of Madinah, King Abdulaziz University, King Faisal University, Taif University, Qassim University, and Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University.
Saudi Arabia secures 14th position in Global AI Index, 1st in Arab world
- Remarkable milestone of 17-rank improvement among 83 countries underscores Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in AI adoption and development
- Achievement highlights the unwavering support provided by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant leap in the field of artificial intelligence, securing 14th position globally and topping the Arab world in the Global AI Index for 2024, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The Global AI Index is one of the indicators of the international classification of artificial intelligence issued by UK-based news website Tortoise Media.
The remarkable milestone of a 17-rank improvement among 83 countries underscores Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in AI adoption and development.
The Kingdom’s continued leadership in the Government Strategy sub-pillar solidifies its position as a global AI leader. Its seventh-place ranking in the Commercial Ecosystem sub-pillar further demonstrates its commitment to investing in AI technologies and fostering a thriving AI ecosystem.
The Global AI Index, a comprehensive assessment of AI capabilities across 83 countries, evaluates performance based on 122 indicators grouped into three pillars: Implementation, Innovation and Investment.
These pillars are further divided into seven sub-pillars: Talent, Infrastructure, Operating Environment, Research, Development, Government Strategy and Commercial Ecosystem.
The achievement highlights the unwavering support provided by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who chairs the board of directors of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, the SPA report added.
Under his guidance, the SDAIA has been instrumental in advancing the field of data and AI, developing national capabilities and fostering innovation. This strategic approach positions Saudi Arabia as a leading data-driven and AI-powered economy.
Saudi students’ water-saving device wins top prize in sustainability contest
- Team Magic AI’s gadget can help people reduce waste at home
- ‘Building a sustainable future begins today,’ Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah says
RIYADH: A group of Saudi students have developed an award-winning device that can be attached to household taps to conserve water.
Team Magic AI, from King Faisal University, King Khalid University and King Saud University, took first place and a SR20,000 ($5,330) cash prize in the inaugural TCS Sustainathon competition with their device.
The competition, organized by Tata Consultancy Services, challenged students to develop sustainable solutions for urban environments.
The winning device monitors consumption and detects leaks, allowing users to reduce the amount of water they waste in their homes.
Abdulrahman Al-Hassan, one of the winning students from King Saud University, said: “Our goal was to make water conservation achievable for everyone.
“The TCS Sustainathon provided a platform to collaborate and bring our idea to life. We’re excited to see how this solution can evolve and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
The competition drew over 300 participants and more than 65 submissions, with the top 12 teams presenting their ideas to a panel of judges at the King Khalid Foundation headquarters in Riyadh.
The event was held in the presence of Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah, CEO of the KKF.
As well as the cash prize, Team Magic AI won an internship at TCS, where they will have access to the resources they need to develop their product.
The second- and third-place teams won SR15,000 and SR10,000 respectively, while all of the other finalists received SR5,000 and gift vouchers in recognition of their contributions.
The competition, which is supported by the KKF, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, focused on using technology to address pressing sustainability issues in Saudi cities.
Sumanta Roy, president and regional head of TCS Middle East & Africa, said: “Saudi Arabia is rapidly urbanizing and TCS is committed to supporting the development of urban environments where people and nature coexist. The innovative solutions presented reflect a deep understanding of the challenges facing our modern-day cities.”
Princess Nouf emphasized the competition’s alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
“Building a sustainable future begins today through decisions that improve the environment, economy and society together. Sustainability is a deep commitment to our communities,” she said.
Royal order approves basic law of King Salman Foundation
- The foundation is an extension of the charitable and humanitarian works of the king, SPA said
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s king issued a royal order approving the basic law of the King Salman Foundation, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The non-profit foundation is an extension of the charitable and humanitarian works of the king, SPA said.
“Investing in people and developing their culture and pride in their identity is a permanent approach that we will always continue,” King Salman wrote on X.
“Because we seek to confront human challenges and sustain the prosperity of societies, we are launching the King Salman Non-Profit Foundation, and we look forward to making a lasting impact on individuals and society,” he added.
KSrelief delivers food aid to Yemen, Sudan
- The deliveries are part of the 2024 food aid project for affected populations in Yemen and Sudan
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief delivered almost 1,400 food aid parcels to thousands of people in Yemen’s Taiz Governorate and Sudan’s Red Sea State, state news agency SPA reported on Thursday.
In the Mawasit District of Taiz, 381 food parcels were delivered, benefiting 2,667 people from 381 of the neediest families affected by flooding.
Sudan’s Red Sea State received 1,000 food parcels for 5,791 people.
The deliveries are part of the 2024 food aid project for affected populations in Yemen and Sudan.
Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered 3,104 cartons of dates to the needy, orphans and people with special needs living in Wadi Al-Ain and Hawra in Yemen’s Hadramout Governorate.
