Roadmap to Smart Cities in Saudi Arabia: Key Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Technologies are constantly evolving and finding applications in both business and government organizations for various purposes such as improving operational efficiency, increasing customer satisfaction, and reducing the cost of transactions. Technology adoption is a well-researched phenomenon in the academic world. Based on the current state of e-governance in Saudi cities and the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things and Blockchain in e-governance, this research study aims to study factors influencing the adoption intention of AI and Blockchain technologies in citizen services delivery within a smart city in Saudi. This article explores AI, IoT and Blockchain technologies adoption intention in the context of smart cities within a developing country like Saudi. Finally, the study provides a set of practical recommendations for smart city officials while planning to launch service applications using AI and Blockchain technologies. More specifically, the study emphasizes the importance of ethics, data privacy and security, and transparency in building trust between smart city systems.