Saudi Arabia Partners with Huawei, Lenovo, ByteDance to Develop AI and Smart Cities

Signing of the NHC Innovation cooperation with Chinese technology partners in Shenzhen. Saudi Arabia strengthens the development of AI and smart cities through this strategic partnership. (Photo: SPA via Arab News)

JAKARTA - Saudi Arabia is getting serious about building a smart city. Through NHC Innovation, the country is partnering with three Chinese technology giants, namely Huawei, Lenovo, and ByteDance.

According to a report by Arab News, quoted on Thursday, June 18, the three strategic partnership agreements were signed in Shenzhen, China, in the framework of the official visit of the Saudi Minister of Cities and Housing Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail.

NHC Innovation is a digital and technology unit of National Housing Co. The signing of the cooperation was also attended by NHC CEO Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Bati. NHC Innovation CEO Rayan bin Abdullah Al-Aql represented the company in the signing.

The cooperation includes AI, data science, advanced data centers, knowledge transfer, talent development, and smart city solutions.

Smart city is a concept of city management with digital technology, ranging from public services, data, infrastructure, to city supervision to be more efficient.

Al-Aql said the agreement is part of NHC Innovation's efforts to build partnerships with global technology companies. The goal is to accelerate the development of smart solutions and utilize international expertise in the fields of AI, data science, and smart cities.

He said digital innovation is now an important driver of urban development. Technology is considered to make city services more efficient and improve the quality of life of residents.

The cooperation also includes a study of global models in city management, urban services, and smart city supervision. Digital technology will be used to improve the city landscape and the quality of life of the community.

Al-Aql also highlighted the importance of China's experience in building business areas and attracting investment. This step is expected to increase the attractiveness of property projects.

The visit program includes meetings with senior executives of a number of major technology companies. The Saudi delegation also visited an innovation center, data center, smart factory, and Huawei-operated Longgang Smart Operations Center.

Arab News also reported that Saudi Arabia signed six agreements and memorandums of understanding with a number of Chinese entities. Saudi also provided housing projects worth more than 1.9 billion Saudi riyals, or about 506 million US dollars, in Riyadh and Dammam.

The agreements announced during Al-Hogail's visit to China from June 13 to 16 include investments in the construction sector, the use of advanced building technology, knowledge transfer, human resource development, and support for government-private partnerships.