“NEOM Isn’t a Project of a Lifetime. This Is History in the Making.”
I consider myself a practical person. I’m a believer that technology will change the way we live. I wouldn’t call myself a futurist, but I believe in practical technology and am definitely an early adopter. Technology will make our lives exponentially better. It’s not an if, it’s a when.
So when I had the chance to speak with Mansoor Hanif, Executive Director of Digital and Cognitive Solutions for NEOM, and also listen in on a GITEX panel with him and others in Dubai, I knew I couldn’t miss it.
I also made sure to sit front and center of the packed talk, appropriately titled Connected Communities: The Role of Technology in Smart Cities.
Here are my thoughts.
But first: What is NEOM?
NEOM is considered the most ambitious project on planet Earth, happening in the desert of Saudi Arabia. It’s more than just a “smart city.” It presents a new way to live powered by technology.
“This isn’t a project of a lifetime. This is historical,” said Hanif.
This is one of those things where there isn’t a hard definition, so I’ll give it to you from the FAQ of the NEOM website:
NEOM is a region in the north west of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. NEOM means ‘new future’ and with more than 3,600 staff – from 97 countries – already living and working here onsite, it has already become a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new economic model for the country and the world.
And the project you’re probably familiar with is The Line.
A cognitive city stretching across 170 kilometers, from the epic mountains of NEOM across inspirational desert valleys to the beautiful Red Sea. No roads, cars or emissions, it will run on 100% renewable energy and 95% of land will be preserved for nature. THE LINE will eventually accommodate 9 million people and will be built on a footprint of just 34 square kilometers. This will mean a reduced infrastructure footprint, creating never-before-seen efficiencies in city functions. Residents will also have access to all daily essentials within a five-minute walk, in addition to high-speed rail – with an end-to-end transit of 20 minutes.
Intrigued? I know I am.
It’s about accelerating the human experience
“The human living experience is fragmented. It’s disconnected. It’s disappointing to be honest. There’s no reason why we can’t create a smart city that is 100% connected where we can maximize the human experience. It’s possible to give people the security, space, and convenience they need to live a comfortable life. This is why cognitive smart cities are the way forward,” said Hanif.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but what interested me while listening to the panel was how much they spoke about human beings first before technology. It’s one of those topics that’s always talked about but never really applied in real life.
There was never a point on the panel where anyone said, “We have this cool tech that does x, y, and z.” The tech genuinely seemed to be secondary to connecting humans to a great experience.
It goes far beyond automation and technology and focuses on creating an experience where individuals and families can live and work in a way that is connected and frictionless.
“A Cognitive Smart City is about creating 100% connectivity in every aspect of a sustainable living environment. It’s about understanding you, as a human being. It’s about understanding your preferences. Your work style. Your family and community. Everything has to be considered in a cognitive smart city. Humans first,” said Hanif.
Yes, I know this sounds a little out there. But the more you dive into it, and the more you listen, the more you understand that maybe, just maybe, this isn’t as crazy as it sounds.
I started to understand that NEOM isn’t just a pipe dream. It’s real, and the approach to this new way of living is being led by true visionaries.
“There is no benchmark. It’s never been done. NEOM IS the Benchmark.”
The reason it’s so hard to explain NEOM is because there is no frame of reference to NEOM. There is nothing comparable.
So when Hanif was asked to compare NEOM to another project, he struggled.
“What we're doing has never been done before. At a time when the world is grappling with challenges like overpopulation and urban livability, now more than ever, the world needs fresh thinking and new solutions.” Hanif noted, “The Line will be the world's first cognitive city that can sense, understand, learn, and automatically generate solutions in real-time to human challenges, predicting and adapting to the needs of its residents and visitors. To achieve this we are developing a holistic human-centric approach to design, planning and operations, based on the convergence of urban design and technology to maximize livability, creativity, economic opportunities & environmental sustainability”
Another person on the panel that I enjoyed listening to was Fahad Babhair, Smart Cities Representative from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
“Your ideas have to be a little crazy. Every idea is on the table,” said Babhair. “We can’t be limited by our own beliefs. We have an opportunity to create something that will impact humans for generations to come. We have to get out of our comfort zone and think big.”
Babhair had a lot of energy, and you can start to understand that NEOM is challenging every assumption. It’s not just about technology. It’s about the human experience. It’s great to see universities getting involved in this project as well.
What has become clear to me is that Saudi Arabia is creating a pathway forward and looking at the future of smart cities in a real way.
So to answer the main question coming from the panel, What is The Role of Technology in Smart Cities?
Here’s my answer:
The role of technology is to create a comfortable and enjoyable live, work, and play experience that serves the specific needs of individuals and their families and communities by reducing every friction we currently face and turning that into a memorable experience.
How does that sound? That’s as close as I’m going to get :)
Thank you Mr. Mansoor and Mr. Fahad for a wonderful talk.