NEOM: A Tech Utopia in the Sands
Robotic maids & Dinosaurs, Artificial Moon & Climate control, Gene-editing Clinics, Hologram teachers and a whole lot more…
The humanoid robot ‘Sophia’ made quite an impression back in 2017 when it was unveiled for the first time at the innovation conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Built by a Hong Kong-based company Hanson Robotics in 2015, the humanoid robot can mimic 62 human facial expressions. However, the highlight of the conference was not the unveiling of the AI-enabled entity or its onstage interview but the Kingdom’s decision to grant citizenship to Sophia.
Ironic for a country where women were not allowed to drive till last year! However, the intention was clear — to adopt technology in modernizing the heavily Oil-dependent economy. Perhaps the new leadership in the country got a page out of Dubai’s book on what oil money can do to convert a sand oasis into a business & technology hub of the World.
Fast forward to 2019, and stunning details are emerging on an audacious plan by KSA to build a futuristic city where robots will outnumber the humans. The idea of the city called NEOM seems to come straight out of a science fiction movie, which will be powered by state of the art technology. 2,300 pages of confidential planning documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal — reveal a $500 billion megacity, spread over 25,000 square km being planned in the current barren Northwestern corner of the Kingdom.
Proposals for the project have been drafted by American consulting firms McKinsey and Boston Consulting. The official promotional video (above) talks about the future of living — unhindered & powered by state of the art technology & automation. The proposed city has been strategically placed on the cusp of international shipping routes and early work is underway with the construction of an airport. Here are some of the ideas presented in the plan for the upcoming City:
- Robots — City will have Robot maids to help you with your chores, dinosaur robots you can interact within an amusement park & robot cage fights for your amusement.
- Genetic-Engineering — The city plans to give a free hand in hosting genetic modification projects. Japanese tech giant Softbank is apparently involved in one such project devised to increase human strength & IQ.
- AI surveillance — Not that these technologies are uncommon anymore, Neom will be swarmed with CCTV cameras, drones, and facial recognition to keep citizens safe.
- Flying Taxis — This will be the preferred method of Transportation. Neighboring Dubai is already on track to test the service in 2020.
- Artificial Rain — Concept of Cloud seeding would be introduced to convert the hot temperatures of the desert region into a temperate climate.
- Holograms — There are plans for world-class schools with hologram teachers.
Also included in the plan is an Artificial moon to light up the night sky, glow-in-the-dark sand. Details around these are vague, however, on how this is going to be achieved or what purpose are they going to serve.
The project had actually been envisioned back in 2017 — in what seems like a very ambitious attempt to transition from the economic status quo to a globalized market economy & more importantly as a forward-looking, business & tech-friendly country on the global stage. However, the Kingdom still needs to do a lot of work in reducing red-tape for international businesses, easing social restrictions and providing women & minority rights to attract diversified talent & investment.
The idea is certainly very enticing but money alone won’t be able to turn this dream into reality, considering the failure of a similar project called the King Abdullah Economic City. Will this TechUtopia turn the fortunes of a country desperate to reinvent itself? Time will tell…