The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) will host Saudi Arabia's first Global Smart City Forum in Riyadh from Feb. 12-13, with 80 speakers from over 40 countries.
The event will bring together global city experts, data specialists, artificial intelligence, digital solutions, smart city engineers, investors, and economic policymakers.
The forum aims to shape the future of cities using smart solutions and draw up basic rules that support city development plans to achieve sustainable urban development and enhance the quality of life.
It is scheduled to be hosted by eight countries: Saudi Arabia, Brazil, the US, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Qatar, and Spain.
According to the Global Smart City Forum, the world population is expected to grow to 10 billion by 2050, and 70% of these people will live in the smart urban cities that countries aim to establish.
SDAIA stated on its website that the forum seeks, through 80 international speakers, to enrich the topic of the future of smart cities in all its aspects, primarily to support governments' efforts in adopting innovative models for smart solutions.
It noted that smart solutions contribute to boosting efficiency and environmental sustainability and raising the quality of life for the residents.
The event also aims to motivate businessmen to invest in smart cities by building smart solutions that support innovation and achieve a balance between human requirements and the economic prosperity of cities.
The forum will include sessions and workshops with international experts in building and planning smart cities, investors, major universities, innovators, economic policymakers, and non-profit organizations.
It will also include dialogue sessions discussing the future of smart cities, the challenges facing their infrastructure, and finding innovative solutions to meet the needs of the growing population.
The forum aspires to establish a global platform for smart cities in Riyadh, where the world's best experts in building smart cities and artificial intelligence will gather for dialogue on important topics related to the future of these cities, name the future of urban mobility, smart public services, and planning green cities.
The Global Forum for Smart Cities was first launched in Barcelona, its main headquarters since 2011. It has expanded to various cities worldwide to discuss the challenges facing the urban future and stimulate development and innovation in building cities.
