Cameras utilising artificial intelligence have helped halve the number of road fatalities in Saudi Arabia and reduce injuries by almost a third (32%) over the past three years, a leading tech expert from the kingdom said on day two of the GITEX Global Leaders Vision conference, a brand new conference series as part of GITEX Global 2021 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Sultan Al Mutairi, Head of Vision Realisation Office, Ministry of Interior, got things underway at the conference by giving an overview of the Ministry’s role with Saudi Vision 2030.

Speaking as part of the days agenda, Dr. Abdul Rahman Alarifi, General Manager of Systems Engineering at the Saudi Technology & Security Compliance Control Company (Tahakom), said AI has increased road safety compliance in the Kingdom and more advanced technology solutions will be introduced in the coming year.

Key successes, he said, included achieving 99% compliance on the non-use of mobiles while driving, a five-fold increase in adhering to seat belt laws and a tripling of adherence to truck exclusion regulations.

“This is the greatest application of artificial intelligence that affects daily life in the Kingdom,” Dr Alarifi said.

Following the life-changing adoption of advanced technology, Alarifi said newAI solutions are now being progressed in Tahakom’s R&D labs to further improve driver behaviour in the Kingdom, including vehicle motion violation monitoring, systems to check highway and road conditions and smart checkpoints.

“We hope to have these solutions available within the next year,” he said.

Dr. Alarifi said Tahakom is leading the charge in fostering homegrown tech talent, with 60 young, talented Saudi nationals now working across its AI operations.

Oman Sets Course for National Space Strategy

Oman will next week announce the appointment of advisers for the development of a national space strategy, building on plans to launch its maiden satellite in 2024. Confirmation of the imminent award of a tender issued in May this year was confirmed by Dr. Saoud Humaid Al Shoaili, Director General, Policies & Governance, Oman’s Ministry of Transportation, Communications, and IT at the GITEX Global Leaders Vision Summit. Dr. Al Shoaili said the policy would also cover building the Sultanate’s institutional and individual capacities for its space programme.

Dr. Al Shoaili said the programme is part of national efforts to diversify Oman’s economy and promote research and innovation in the Sultanate where advanced technology competencies are viewed as “enablers to improve the competitive capabilities of the national economy in line with Oman’s 2040 vision.”