How AI could help keep Saudi Arabia’s homes safer

Special How AI could help keep Saudi Arabia’s homes safer
Solutions provided include smart energy management and lighting solutions. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 November 2024
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How AI could help keep Saudi Arabia’s homes safer

How AI could help keep Saudi Arabia’s homes safer
  • Integration of AI with 'internet of things’ devices enables real-time monitoring and smart threat detection for better security
  • Tech firm Smart Citizens’ expansion aligns with Kingdom’s Vision 2030, elevating living standards through innovative technology

RIYADH: As part of Saudi Arabia’s push to establish itself as a leader in the data-driven, AI-powered economy, the Kingdom is harnessing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionize homes.

AI and machine-learning technologies are making houses and apartment smarter, more efficient and easier to live in. They are also making them safer.

Real-time monitoring of security video, identifying threats, automated alerts to residents and integration with other smart home devices will completely change how homeowners protect their properties.

Industry leaders such as the tech firm Smart Citizens are expanding into Saudi Arabia following their success elsewhere.

The UAE-based firm says that it delivers innovative, cutting-edge solutions, particularly in smart-home automation.

“Smart Citizens believes AI will drive the most compelling advancements in home security and safety in Saudi Arabia,” Ashraf Nouri, Smart Citizens CEO, told Arab News.  

He explained that the integration of AI with a network of devices that could connect and exchange data (known as the “Internet of things”), enhanced home security by enabling real-time monitoring and smart threat detection.

Smart Citizens’ expansion strategy, Nouri said, was crafted to “be in tune with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which wants living standards to match modern concepts and foster innovation in technology.”

AI is projected to contribute more than $135 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy by 2030, making up 12.4 percent of the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, according to accounting firm PwC.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority was set up in 2019 to help drive the Kingdom’s AI capabilities and make it a global leader in data-driven economies.

Saudi Arabia is also ramping up AI investment, looking to cement its position as one of the world’s main investors in the technology. 




Shutterstock illustration

The embrace of home AI technology fits with the Kingdom’s mission to become a leader in smart city development. A key example is NEOM, the futuristic mega-city project that integrates advanced technologies and smart home solutions to foster connectivity and sustainability.

Elaborating on how AI is reshaping residential security in the Middle East, Nouri said that his company had developed a comprehensive AI-enabled security ecosystem.

The system, he said, offered a “new generation of smart home security.”




These solutions have already shown results with a 40 percent decrease in false alarms. (Supplied)  

This included AI-driven intrusion detection, voice-activated security controls and predictive maintenance.

Nouri said: “We involve our AI technologies in the following domains: Computer vision for video surveillance and object detection, natural language processing for voice interaction and analysis, and neural networks for driving predictive analytics on maintenance and anomaly detection.”

As Smart Citizens prepares to enter the Saudi market, Nouri said that the company was committed to teaching its consumers about the new technologies it offered.

“Smart Citizens adopts an integrated approach in consumer education for the adoption of advanced technologies, especially in home security and safety, in Saudi Arabia,” he said.




Nouri said that Smart Citizens is working to ensure compliance with Saudi standards. (Supplied)
 

The company’s strategies, he added, include public awareness campaigns, workshops and seminars, partnerships with educational institutions, and incentive programs to drive engagement and adoption.

These initiatives, Nouri said, aligned with the ambitions of Vision 2030 for digital transformation and the development of smart cities.

He added: “Through such programs, the company aspires to encourage a technological society that shall be ready for innovations in home security and safety.”

Nouri explained that his company was “implementing an AI-enabled behavioral analytics system that filters the routine household activities from potential threats.” This, he said, enhanced the accuracy of threat detection.




Shutterstock illustration image on Internet of Things

This was achieved through the integration of “Internet of things” devices, which are essential to the system’s overall effectiveness.

Nouri said: “IoT devices are collecting key data from sensors, smart locks and cameras to build the backbone of our system. The processing and analysis of this data in real-time happen through our AI models.”

DID YOUKNOW?

• Smart homes gain popularity as Saudi Arabia advances its AI-powered economy.

• AI-driven behavioral analytics can filter routine activities from potential threats.

• Internet of things devices enhance home security by enabling real-time monitoring.

Emphasizing that Smart Citizens prioritized user experience, he added: “We design interfaces that are easy to navigate, allowing users to control and monitor their smart home systems effortlessly.”

The company’s AI systems were able to learn individual preferences over time, enabling tailored automation that aligned with each homeowner’s lifestyle, he said.

Nouri said that robust measures were in place to address privacy concerns swiftly and effectively.

“We have multiple approaches to address privacy and security at our systems: Encryption protocols, localized data processing and compliance with UK standards, UAE standards,” he said, noting that his company was also working to ensure full compliance with Saudi regulations.




Smart Citizens actively embrace AI-powered technologies in luxury apartments and homes. (Supplied)

In the UAE, people were increasingly embracing AI-powered technologies in luxury apartments and homes, he added, describing homeowners there as “keen adopters of high-tech innovations to enhance their lifestyles and ensure comfort.”

Looking ahead, Nouri is optimistic about AI’s growing role in home security, believing that AI will become increasingly autonomous and seamlessly integrated into daily life.

“Solutions like the smart energy management and lighting solutions provided by Smart Citizens will evolve to provide even more personalized and predictive capabilities,” Nouri said.

Smart homes are also seen as a more sustainable solution to mitigate climate change, and Saudi Arabia is adopting a whole-of-society approach to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tonnes annually by 2030.




Shutterstock illustration

A 2019 study published in Environment International found that household energy consumption accounted for one-third of global carbon emissions, and home automation had the potential to reduce these emissions by 12.78 percent.

Nouri said that emerging home security trends, such as biometric security enhancements and edge computing, which processes data on devices closer to the user, will allow for faster, more private operations.

And the impact of these solutions is measurable, providing “up to a 40 percent reduction in false alarms,” he said.

“These AI-powered solutions provided by us make a residence safer through real-time threat detection, personalized security, and seamlessly integrated automation, ensuring constant protection,” Nouri said.




Ashraf Nouri, Smart Citizens CEO

This new AI technology enhances home security while giving residents greater peace of mind and control over their living spaces.

Smart Citizens is just one example of a company entering the Saudi market with AI powered solutions for people’s daily lives.

Many more will follow, deploying data-driven technology that will transform how we live.
 

 


Saudi Arabia condemns storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir walks to visit the Damascus Gate to Jerusalem’s Old City in Jerusalem, May 26
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir walks to visit the Damascus Gate to Jerusalem’s Old City in Jerusalem, May 26
Updated 17 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia condemns storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir walks to visit the Damascus Gate to Jerusalem’s Old City in Jerusalem, May 26

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli officials and settlers under the protection of Israeli forces on Monday.

The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its condemnation of the continued flagrant violations of international law and brutal attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Crowds of Israelis streamed through Jerusalem’s Old City, where some scuffled with residents and hurled insults at Palestinians, as annual celebrations of Israel’s capture of east Jerusalem took place on Monday.

Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, to mark the occasion.

Jerusalem Day, as the celebrations are known, commemorates Israeli forces taking east Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

The Kingdom affirmed its categorical rejection of anything that undermines the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites.It called on the international community to hold Israeli authorities accountable for their ongoing violations against Islamic holy sites and innocent civilians in Palestine.


Dhul Hijjah crescent moon sighted in Saudi Arabia

The crescent moon for the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, during which the annual Hajj pilgrimage takes place, has been sighted.
The crescent moon for the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, during which the annual Hajj pilgrimage takes place, has been sighted.
Updated 27 May 2025
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Dhul Hijjah crescent moon sighted in Saudi Arabia

The crescent moon for the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, during which the annual Hajj pilgrimage takes place, has been sighted.
  • Day of Arafah to be observed on June 5
  • Eid Al-Adha will fall on June 6

RIYADH: The crescent moon for the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, during which the annual Hajj pilgrimage takes place, has been sighted, the Supreme Court announced on Tuesday.

This means that the pilgrimage — which all healthy and wealthy Muslims are required to undertake once in a lifetime — will start on June 4 with the pilgrims gathering in the Tent City of Mina. The day of Arafah will fall on June 5.

Muslims who are not performing the pilgrimage this year will celebrate Eid Al-Adha on June 6.

The Supreme Court urged Muslims across the Kingdom to look out for the crescent moon on Tuesday — Dhu Al-Qa’dah 29 — and report any sightings as soon as possible to their nearest court.

The Kingdom has announced a weeklong Eid holiday for both public and private sector workers.


Riyadh hosts first UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly meeting

Riyadh hosts first UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly meeting
Updated 27 May 2025
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Riyadh hosts first UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly meeting

Riyadh hosts first UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly meeting
  • ‘We want to create a better system for doing business together,’ says lord mayor

RIYADH: The Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King launched the first meeting of the UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly in Riyadh on Tuesday to enhance financial and professional cooperation between the two countries.

The initiative is in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment, the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, and the City of London Corporation.

“We want to create a better system for doing business together. What we are launching is the UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly — a platform bringing together various parties involved in infrastructure investment,” King told Arab News ahead of the meeting.

The new strategic partnership aims at boosting collaboration between the UK’s financial and professional services sectors and Saudi Arabia’s sustainable infrastructure developers.

King said the assembly would help Saudi and UK counterparts to prepare for more joint projects in the Kingdom.

“That means that the costs will go down because they do not have to go through all the mobilization costs. The cost of capital can fall if you have got those companies absolutely ready,” he said.

“I think that is a very exciting example of the sort of collaboration that we have between the UK and Saudi Arabia.”

The assembly has brought together leading Saudi and UK firms, policymakers, and industry experts to shape the future of sustainable infrastructure investment.

It has focused on projects such as the new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company, led by the Public Investment Fund, and the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sustainable Sports City, led by Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Privatization.

King highlighted other areas with potential for greater cooperation, including regulatory alignment, the insurance sector, and cultural exchange.

He said: “We see remarkable opportunities in sectors like asset management. It is something that we do very well. In the UK we have the second-largest investment management industry in the world.

“We have around £10.9 trillion ($14.7 trillion) under management in the UK. We’re looking for all kinds of collaboration with Saudi Arabia in that area.”

He added: “I think we would like to see more collaboration on the legal side as well. (Some) 80 percent of global contracts are under English law.”

King said that he would meet government ministers, regulators, family offices, and members of the insurance industry during his time in Riyadh.

When asked why he chose to visit the Kingdom at this time, King said: “It is a remarkable moment. We have got major developments in the UK that present a good set of opportunities for Saudi parties.”

King added that he would return to Riyadh in October for the Future Investment Initiative.


Security forces crack down on illegal Hajj entry

Security forces crack down on illegal Hajj entry
Updated 27 May 2025
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Security forces crack down on illegal Hajj entry

Security forces crack down on illegal Hajj entry
  • Hajj Security Forces at Makkah’s entrances arrested six residents and 14 citizens for transporting 99 individuals without Hajj permits
  • Ministry of Interior urged full compliance with Hajj regulations to ensure pilgrim safety

MAKKAH: The Ministry of Interior is continuing its efforts to prevent people without Hajj permits from entering or staying in Makkah and the holy sites, warning that violators and facilitators will be arrested and penalized.

Hajj Security Forces at Makkah’s entrances arrested six residents and 14 citizens for transporting 99 individuals without Hajj permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In a separate incident, the forces arrested two citizens for transporting 15 individuals in violation of Hajj regulations and attempting to bring them into Makkah.

Penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,600), the public naming of violators, deportation of residents and a 10-year re-entry ban after sentencing.

The ministry also called for the confiscation of vehicles used in unauthorized transportation and fines of up to SR20,000 for those attempting Hajj without a permit.

It urged full compliance with Hajj regulations to ensure pilgrim safety and reminded the public that entering Makkah between April 29 and June 10 without a permit is prohibited.


Saudi project clears 1,504 mines in Yemen 

Saudi project clears 1,504 mines in Yemen 
Updated 27 May 2025
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Saudi project clears 1,504 mines in Yemen 

Saudi project clears 1,504 mines in Yemen 
  • Total included 1,459 unexploded ordnance, 40 anti-tank mines, four anti-personnel mines and one improvised explosive device
  • Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 495,855 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 1,504 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week. 

The total included 1,459 unexploded ordnance, 40 anti-tank mines, four anti-personnel mines and one improvised explosive device, according to a recent report. 

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 495,855 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly. 

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada. 

The project trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid.