News

Saudi Arabia Plans Digital Twins For 5 Cities, Including Mecca

The project involves the creation of a cloud-based platform that will become central to the Kingdom’s smart city project.

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2023

Nour Nasir

saudi arabia plans digital twins for 5 cities including mecca

South Korean tech company Naver has signed a contract with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing (MOMRAH) to build and administer digital twins for five of the country’s biggest cities: Riyadh, Medina, Jeddah, Dammam, and Mecca.

The news comes after a visit from South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who arrived in the Kingdom to discuss deepening economic ties, explaining that “If South Korea, which has cutting-edge technologies and a successful experience of industrial development, joins hands with Saudi Arabia, with its abundant capital and growth potential, we can create synergy stronger than any other nation”.

naver saudi arabia digital twin cities agreement

Naver has already signed a memorandum with MOMRAH to support Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. Discussions have also taken place with Majed Al Hogail, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Housing, on digitizing other aspects of city planning, transportation, and public safety.

The digital twin program reflects ongoing efforts to boost decision-making and improve digitization using AI, robotics, and cloud-based solutions. The project will be pivotal in the development of smart city infrastructure and will be used for a wide variety of tasks, including urban planning and flood monitoring.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia Launches Summer 2024 eSports World Cup

“Leveraging Naver’s globally competitive technologies, we aim to spearhead the second wave of export boom to the Middle East. With this project as a starting point, Naver will also act as a bridge for Korean IT startups entering the Middle Eastern market,” announced Chae Seon-ju, President of ESG and External Policy at Naver.

Korean company Naver emphasized that digital twins platform could become the foundation for numerous technologies and services in what could become a continually evolving project. South Korean and Saudi startups could also use the open platform cloud software for urban water management, real estate services, robotics, autonomous driving applications, and traffic planning.

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

21 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.