King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) and the Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) have announced their partnership to implement a new smart city project that will help revolutionize the district’s future operations. Signed by Gautam Sashittal, CEO of KAFD DMC and Abdulaziz Almuammar, Interim CEO of SCAI, the wholly owned Public Investment Fund (PIF) subsidiaries will roll out smart traffic and mobility solutions to transform KAFD’s urban experience, serving as a model for other smart city projects across the Kingdom.  

SCAI will collaborate with KAFD to implement a Smart Traffic Management (STM) platform to streamline traffic flow monitoring through a data-driven approach. This platform will not only provide ready access to real-time and predictive traffic information but also serve as the basis for a robust data analytics system.  

Concurrently, the smart city project includes the integration of a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform, which utilizes user transportation patterns to inform future planning. By connecting with prominent public and private transportation providers and integrating seamlessly with other KAFD digital solutions, MaaS will deliver an optimized end-user experience for visitors, residents, and tenants alike.  

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Sashittal explained, “Amidst the global surge towards intelligent mobility solutions, KAFD stands as a beacon, attracting hundreds of thousands of urban dwellers seeking an optimal blend of living, work, and play. Our smart city blueprint offers a future-proof pathway towards 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.”  

Reiterating the importance of this partnership in accelerating widespread AI adoption in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Almuammar added, "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. This project marks a crucial step in our journey to foster a more vibrant Saudi AI ecosystem and the realization of PIF’s technology sector goals under Vision 2030." 

This project is part of KAFD's comprehensive smart city strategy, which seeks to integrate and intelligently manage key infrastructures and enhance operational and cost efficiency. The strategy also aims to create a world-class customer experience by offering streamlined digital access to a growing array of KAFD services. This includes tailoring the district's offerings through the collection and analysis of data to foster further operational improvements.  

A prime hub offering a perfect blend of business, entertainment and modern lifestyle, KAFD is Riyadh’s ultimate hotspot for award-winning infrastructure, vibrant communities and sustainable solutions. With state-of-the-art offices, world-class facilities, and iconic luxury residences spanning 1.6 million square meters, the business district is spearheading the Kingdom’s economic transformation while redefining urban living as we know it.  

SCAI is committed to playing an active role in shaping the coming era of AI applications and offering innovative solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges, all in pursuit of a more sustainable future. Leveraging internal capabilities and diverse investments, the organization serves as a catalyst for Saudi Arabia's AI ecosystem, striving to position the Kingdom as a globally competitive hub for cutting-edge technology.