How AI could make Saudi Arabia’s construction sites safer and more efficient

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Updated 11 July 2025
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How AI could make Saudi Arabia’s construction sites safer and more efficient

  • Construction remains one of the most dangerous and under-digitized industries, prompting a growing demand for real-time safety solutions
  • AI-driven tools are increasingly viewed not as job threats but as vital safeguards enhancing judgment, oversight, and worker protection

RIYADH: Across the global construction sector, long considered one of the most resistant to digitization, a quiet revolution is unfolding.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a mere buzzword confined to laboratories and boardrooms. It is increasingly present in the urban fabric, embedded into scaffolding, concrete and command centers.

One company at the heart of this shift is viAct, a Hong Kong-based AI firm co-founded by Gary Ng and Hugo Cheuk. Their aim is to make construction safer, smarter and significantly more productive using a scenario-based AI engine built for complex, high-risk environments.

“Despite being one of the most labor-intensive and hazardous industries, construction remains vastly under-digitized,” Ng told Arab News. “We saw this as an opportunity to bring AI-driven automation and insights to frontline operations.

Unlike conventional surveillance tools that simply record footage, viAct’s platform acts like a digital foreman. It interprets real-time visual data to detect unsafe practices, productivity gaps and anomalies, all without human supervision.

At the core of the platform are intelligent video analytics powered by edge computing. By processing visuals from jobsite cameras and sensors, viAct can flag whether a worker has entered a restricted zone, whether proper personal protective equipment is being worn, or if a crane is operating unsafely.

“This is not just about object detection,” said Ng. “Our AI understands context. It recognizes behaviors — like a worker being too close to the edge without a harness or a truck reversing unsafely — and acts in real time.”

That ability to contextualize data is crucial in megaprojects, where risks multiply with size.

The firm’s technology has already been deployed across East Asia and parts of Europe. Now, the company is eyeing Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region, where giga-projects are transforming skylines at record speed.

Ng confirmed viAct is in active discussions to enter the Saudi market.

“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is deeply aligned with our mission,” he said. “There’s a growing demand for AI in infrastructure — not just for safety, but also for efficiency, environmental compliance, and transparency.

From NEOM and The Line to Qiddiya and Diriyah Gate, Saudi Arabia is leading one of the most ambitious construction booms in the world. These projects involve thousands of workers, advanced logistics and constant oversight.

However, traditional safety audits and manual inspections are no longer sufficient. “With projects of this scale, real-time monitoring is not a luxury — it’s a necessity,” said Ng.

While viAct hasn’t yet launched in the Kingdom, its platform is fully prepared for Arabic localization and regional compliance standards, including Saudi labor laws and Gulf Cooperation Council safety codes.

What sets viAct apart is how seamlessly it integrates with existing infrastructure. Rather than requiring expensive proprietary equipment, the platform works with standard CCTV cameras and can be deployed in both urban and remote sites.

 

“Our system is plug-and-play,” said Ng. “You don’t need to overhaul your entire setup to use AI. That makes it ideal for companies in transition or for phased construction timelines.”

Its use of edge AI, meaning data is processed on site rather than in a distant cloud, allows viAct to deliver insights even in areas with weak internet connectivity. This feature is particularly useful in Saudi Arabia’s more isolated development zones or early-phase sites with minimal setup.

Its software is also highly customizable. For instance, a client building a hospital might prioritize fall detection and material delays, while a contractor working on an airport runway may need to monitor large machinery and perimeter access.

As automation reshapes industries, many worry that people are being replaced by machines. But Ng insists that viAct’s goal is not to eliminate workers — it is to protect them.

“We’re not building robots to take over,” he said. “We’re building tools that enhance human judgment and ensure safety. When a worker is alerted to a risk before an accident occurs, that’s AI doing its best job.”

In fact, many of viAct’s clients report that once site workers understand the system is not spying on them, but rather observing unsafe situations, adoption becomes smoother. Managers gain better oversight and laborers gain peace of mind.

“We see this as a collaboration between human intelligence and artificial intelligence,” Ng said. “Each has strengths. Together, they’re far more effective.”




Gary Ng co-founded viAct, a Hong Kong-based AI firm, with Hugo Cheuk. (Supplied)

Deploying AI in construction also brings ethical questions to the forefront, particularly in projects run by government entities or involving public infrastructure. Ng is upfront about these concerns.

“All our solutions are GDPR-compliant and privacy-first,” he said, referring to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, a comprehensive set of rules designed to protect the personal data of individuals.

“We don’t use facial recognition and we don’t track individuals. The focus is purely on safety, compliance and productivity.”

Workers are anonymized in the system, with all data encrypted and stored securely. Dashboards used by contractors and project leads include logs, alerts and safety scores, allowing for clear documentation and accountability without compromising personal privacy.

This is especially important in the Gulf, where projects often involve multinational labor forces and cross-border stakeholders

Looking ahead, viAct plans to double down on its expansion in the Middle East, continue advancing its AI models and advocate for ethical AI deployment in high-risk sectors.

The company is also exploring ways to integrate predictive analytics, allowing clients to foresee and prevent incidents before they occur. This could eventually shift AI’s role from reactive to proactive, forecasting safety breaches, delivery delays or environmental compliance issues in advance.

Ng believes this kind of intelligent foresight will soon become standard across the construction industry.

“It’s not about replacing humans,” he said. “It’s about building a smarter site, one where decisions are faster, risks are fewer, and lives are safer.”

In the age of giga-projects, that is a future Saudi Arabia is already building.
 




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Young Saudi authors reshape Kingdom’s literary landscape

Young Saudi authors gather to discuss their work and the transformation of KSA’s literature. (Supplied)
Updated 27 July 2025
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Young Saudi authors reshape Kingdom’s literary landscape

  • Writers point to a ‘golden age’ in publishing, but call for legal protections, clearer regulations to support emerging talent

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia undergoes a cultural transformation under Vision 2030, a new generation of writers is reshaping the country’s literary scene.

One of the most notable developments has been the rise of Saudi authors under the age of 35, many of whom are finding new pathways. These writers are contributing to a literary landscape that increasingly embraces genres such as science, fiction, and fantasy.

Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Saudi Young Writers Forum, Linah Alshaalan, a Saudi author, said the Kingdom’s literary scene today offers a ripe environment full of opportunities for emerging voices.

HIGHLIGHTS

• One of the most notable developments has been the rise of Saudi authors under the age of 35, many of whom are finding new pathways.

• Raad Aleid, founder of the Saudi Young Writers Forum, underscored the need for stronger structural support, particularly when it comes to international recognition, translation efforts, and adapting to emerging technologies such as AI.

“This is a golden age for authors and creatives to come about and to try to find their way and find their path in this field, because it’s full of opportunities for newcomers and also older people,” she told Arab News.

Alshaalan published her first novel in 2024 through a Ministry of Culture initiative focused on supporting literary genres, such as science fiction. 

Her book was later nominated for cinematic adaptation. She described this moment as encouraging for new writers seeking to establish themselves in a rapidly evolving scene.

Linah Alshaalan, Saudi author

Alshaalan said the broader transformation underway in the Kingdom is changing how Saudi literature is perceived and consumed.

“Today, authors have the ability to produce stories that are placing Saudi cultural symbols in the future. So we’re saying we don’t only exist in the past, next to a camel and a palm tree. No, our camel and our palm tree exist in the future as well. And we are thriving in that future,” she said.

Alshaalan also pointed to Gen Z as a key force shaping literary trends in Saudi Arabia, particularly through their rejection of elitism, and embrace of direct, honest storytelling.

Today, authors have the ability to produce stories that are placing Saudi cultural symbols in the future. So we’re saying we don’t only exist in the past, next to a camel and a palm tree. No, our camel and our palm tree exist in the future as well. And we are thriving in that future.

Linah Alshaalan, Saudi author

“One thing that I really appreciate about Gen Z is that they are kind of undermining this idea that a literary critic or a literary person is somebody who lives in an ivory tower, very high up,” she said.

Today, authors have the ability to produce stories that are placing Saudi cultural symbols in the future. (Supplied)

She noted that younger readers have become powerful tastemakers in the digital age. “They have a very strong online presence, which means that they have a very loud voice and very strong influence,” she added.

“Gen Zers resonate the most with authentic voices,” Alshaalan said. “People who are speaking from the heart, people who are not trying to hide behind or whatever it is. They are trying to be authentic, and I think authenticity is the number one tool for authors.”

Despite the progress, Alshaalan said there is a need for legal protections and clearer regulations in the publishing industry to support new authors and protect their rights.

Young Saudi authors gather to discuss their work and the transformation of KSA’s literature. (Supplied)

“I think maybe regulating the industry a little bit more to make and implement some rules and some regulation to protect the individual … because (for) an individual writer, an individual author, the biggest challenge is not having legal literacy when it comes to the contracts that you sign with a publisher or whoever,” she said.

“We need to outline the responsibility of the publisher that justifies their percentage of the book,” she added.

Artificial intelligence is another factor shaping the creative landscape. Alshaalan, whose novel centers on a rogue AI, said the technology can be helpful, but not in replacing the human core of storytelling.

Young Saudi authors gather to discuss their work and the transformation of KSA’s literature. (Supplied)

“Now, to write anything, if you just have a concept or an idea, you can just feed it into the AI and see it more fleshed out. It helps people. But a good author that cares about their own integrity would probably not rely on it too much,” she said. “I don’t think it’s ready yet to offer something with meaningful substance.”

Raad Aleid, founder of the Saudi Young Writers Forum, underscored the need for stronger structural support, particularly when it comes to international recognition, translation efforts, and adapting to emerging technologies such as AI.

“I believe promoting Saudi Arabia’s presence through writing still requires significant effort. There is still a need for more empowerment,” Aleid told Arab News.

He said translation initiatives are a positive step, but more needs to be done. “The Literature Commission is currently working through the translation initiative to translate Saudi works into other languages, but I think there are additional options, such as encouraging foreign authors to write about Saudi Arabia and publishing new Saudi books in other languages, not just translating older titles,” he added.

Aleid also called for greater representation of young Saudi writers at global forums and highlighted the need for legislation to regulate AI in creative fields.

 


Kawir Palace provides architectural insights into Makkah’s heritage

The palace was built between 1910 and 1920 and is on a hill overlooking the historic Biban area, offering panoramic views. (SPA)
Updated 27 July 2025
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Kawir Palace provides architectural insights into Makkah’s heritage

  • The palace provides valuable architectural lessons, particularly in the integration of form and function

RIYADH: The city of Makkah features numerous historical landmarks that reflect its urban development and architectural uniqueness. Among these is Kawir Palace, also known as Biban Palace, one of the oldest and most notable historical palaces.

It embodies authentic architectural elements and symbolizes the social and cultural diversity of the early 20th century, serving as a model of local architecture connected to social changes in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Indian teak wood was used for some doors and windows, while the facades featured carved wooden windows (roshan) and geometric motifs. (SPA)

Owned by a local merchant nicknamed Kawir because of his trade in limestone quarrying, a prevalent building material, the palace’s architecture and strategic location in Makkah’s prominent Biban area highlight its significance.

The palace was built between 1910 and 1920 and is on a hill overlooking the historic Biban area, offering panoramic views, the SPA added.

FASTFACT

After restoration, the palace could serve as a museum of traditional Makkah architecture, a community cultural center, or a luxury heritage guesthouse for experiential tourism.

The construction used local materials and techniques, including local stone for the foundation, limestone for wall insulation, and clay, wood, and gypsum for interiors.

The palace comprises five floors, featuring spacious halls, reception areas, and internal courtyards for ventilation. (SPA)

Indian teak wood was used for some doors and windows, while the facades featured carved wooden windows (roshan) and geometric motifs. The ceilings feature handmade gypsum decorations, reflecting local craftsmanship.

The palace comprises five floors, featuring spacious halls, reception areas, and internal courtyards for ventilation, according to the report.

The palace comprises five floors, featuring spacious halls, reception areas, and internal courtyards for ventilation. (SPA)

The palace provides valuable architectural lessons, particularly in the integration of form and function. Traditional methods offer solutions for ventilation, privacy, and thermal insulation, emphasizing local identity over imported styles.

After restoration, the palace could serve as a museum of traditional Makkah architecture, a community cultural center, or a luxury heritage guesthouse for experiential tourism.

 


MWL chief meets Kenya’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa (R) holds talks with Mohamed Ramadhan Ruwange in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Updated 27 July 2025
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MWL chief meets Kenya’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia

  • During their meeting at the league’s Riyadh office, Al-Issa, who is also the chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, and the envoy discussed topics of mutual interest

RIYADH: Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa met with Mohamed Ramadhan Ruwange, Kenya’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

During their meeting at the league’s Riyadh office, Al-Issa, who is also the chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, and the envoy discussed topics of mutual interest.

In a separate meeting, Al-Issa received Euronews chairman Pedro Vargas David. They discussed the media sector and its expected positive impact, highlighting Euronews’s role as a leading multilingual broadcaster in Europe and globally.

 


Saudi surgeons separate Syrian conjoined twins in 8-hour operation

Saudi surgeons on Sunday separated Syrian conjoined twins Celine and Eline in an eight-hour operation in Riyadh. (SPA)
Updated 27 July 2025
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Saudi surgeons separate Syrian conjoined twins in 8-hour operation

  • Celine and Eline, who are 17 months old, were conjoined at the lower chest and abdomen
  • The operation was the 66th procedure under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program

RIYADH: Saudi surgeons on Sunday separated Syrian conjoined twins Celine and Eline in an eight-hour operation at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital.

“It’s an indescribable feeling. Truly, it’s a feeling beyond words,” said Abdulnaeim Al-Shubli the twins’ father.

“Thanks to Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and the specialized medical team. I am deeply thankful. From now on, we will move from better to even better," he added.

"Saudi Arabia is our second home. It’s like we came to be with our own family and daughters.”

Celine and Eline, who are 17 months old, were conjoined at the lower chest and abdomen.

They were born in Februaty 2024 at Rafik Hariri Hospital in Beirut as part of a triplet birth. Their brother, Sanad, was born healthy and unjoined.

The family fled Aleppo in 2013 after their home was destroyed during the war and have lived in Lebanon since.

The twins were medically evacuated to Riyadh in December 2024 to receive specialized care. Al-Shubli said they underwent four months of preparation before surgery.

“They were under 24-hour supervision by a consulting medical team. The girls received complete care throughout that period, and after that they told me the surgery would proceed.”

The operation was the 66th procedure under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.

It is also the fourth separation of Syrian conjoined twins to be performed as part of the initiative, which has treated cases from 27 countries since its launch in 1990.

Hussein Abdulaziz, charge d’affaires at the Syrian Embassy in Riyadh, said the procedure was part of the Kingdom’s broader humanitarian efforts to assist Syrian families in need of medical care.

He said: “Cases like these are medically complex and difficult, and they require thorough study. From a humanitarian angle, such surgeries come with very high financial costs, but the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its humanitarian and charitable work, lifts this burden entirely off the shoulders of the children’s families.”

Abdulaziz also highlighted the work of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in Syria.

“It’s well known that KSrelief has been working in Syria for the past 14 years. After the liberation, the center expanded its operations to cover all Syrian provinces, most recently providing support to families affected by the wildfires in Latakia province on the Syrian coast,” he said.

He added that Saudi Arabia’s volunteer medical program has carried out nearly 1,300 surgeries in Syria in recent years, alongside the wide-ranging provision of food and medical aid.


Hail festival honors Saudi craft, culture

The 30-day Beit Hail Festival at Aja Park offered a mix of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences.
Updated 27 July 2025
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Hail festival honors Saudi craft, culture

  • More than 95,000 visitors explore rich traditions, Thamudic art, handmade treasures, folk performances at Aja Park

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has concluded after attracting more than 95,000 visitors from across the Kingdom, Gulf region, and other international destinations.

The 30-day Beit Hail Festival at Aja Park offered a mix of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, running daily from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The event celebrated cultural heritage through handicrafts, traditional dishes, and Thamudic inscriptions, the SPA added.

It featured an art pavilion showcasing notable artists, a resin art exhibit, folk theater, heritage-inspired residential models, and performances reflecting the culture of Asir province.

Exhibits gave younger generations insight into how ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, highlighting the ingenuity of Saudi heritage.

More than 40 activities allowed visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and Najdi and Hail-style door making.

Other highlights included traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making. The festival also served as a platform for local artisans to present their work directly to the public.

Several government leaders visited the event, praising its efforts to revive memories of traditional life and showcase historical methods of meeting daily needs.

Mauritanian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mokhtar Ould Dahi also toured the festival, exploring stands and pavilions featuring local craftsmanship.

He expressed admiration for the crafts on display, including wickerwork, sadu weaving, hand-woven textiles, and fiber arts, and commended the cultural performances for reflecting Saudi heritage.

Separately, EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud visited the festival, praising the displays of palm frond weaving, sadu weaving, handmade textiles, traditional wooden doors, resin art, crochet, Thamudic embroidery, woodcraft, and leatherwork.

Both ambassadors attended traditional folk performances, including the Saudi Ardah (sword dance), the Hail Samri (drum-accompanied poetry), and various artistic presentations from Asir region.