The future of smart cities and the challenges facing their infrastructure were discussed at the Global Smart Cities Forum organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
In this context, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Kharif, the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, delivered an important speech highlighting the importance of smart cities in boosting industry.
Minister Al-Kharif described smart cities as one of the drivers of industrial growth, technology dissemination, and sustainable industrial development.
He emphasized the increasing need to establish smart industrial cities in the industrial and mining sectors, enhancing the integration of technology in factories and mining sites.
The Minister explained that the manufacturing landscape today requires factories to be part of a technology ecosystem based on advanced digital infrastructure. He pointed out that in light of this, essential services such as communication, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions must be provided.
This should be achieved by engaging specialized technology partners capable of facilitating the implementation of these services within factories. It is essential to note that smart services in these factories are linked to the intelligence of the industrial city itself.
The Minister affirmed that Saudi Arabia has significant opportunities and qualitative leaps to enable new factories and equip them with the latest technology and innovations. He added that Saudi Arabia possesses significant manufacturing capabilities in four industrial cities spread across the kingdom.
He highlighted that they provide numerous opportunities including industrial infrastructure, shared services, solutions, and warehouses.
This Global Smart Cities Forum comes within the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop industry, economic growth, enhance sustainability, and foster innovation in the industrial sector.
It is expected that this discussion will contribute to shaping future plans and strategies to enhance industry, support the development of smart cities in the kingdom, and elevate the provision of smart services in the industrial sector.
