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Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
World's first AI city in Abu Dhabi by 2027: Aion Sentia to have smart homes, automated transport
Abu Dhabi is set to launch the world's first AI cognitive city, Aion Sentia, in a pioneering move that aims to redefine urban living through advanced artificial intelligence and cognitive technology. Scheduled for completion by 2027, the project is part of the emirate's strategy to integrate AI across all sectors, transforming how residents live, work, and interact with their surroundings. Aion Sentia would leverage AI to offer predictive services, automated infrastructure management, and real-time energy optimisation. "This city will not just be smart; it will be cognitive — learning and evolving with its residents," said Daniele Marinelli, CEO of My Aion Inc., the Italian developer of the project. The cognitive city platform will also introduce MAIA, a first-of-its-kind AI-driven mobile application designed to connect residents directly with city services. From automated public transport scheduling to smart home integration and AI-powered healthcare support, MAIA aims to bring a seamless, tech-driven lifestyle to the fingertips of every citizen. The landmark AI initiative follows a strategic partnership between Abu Dhabi's Bold Technologies, a subsidiary of Bold Holding, and the Italian AI manufacturer My Aion Inc. The project is structured under a $2.5 billion Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. One platform for every need Aion Sentia aims to consolidate public and private services into a single, intuitive platform powered by MAIA. During a media roundtable, Marinelli described the MAIA app as more than just a generative AI; it is a cognitive framework capable of real-time decision-making based on a user's data. Unlike traditional applications that rely on fragmented data, MAIA's Personal Profile Graph learns from user interactions, understanding preferences, habits, and even personal relationships. "We want to go to the next level," Marinelli said. "Imagine an AI that knows you so well, it can recommend the perfect place for your anniversary dinner and book it for you without you lifting a finger. That's the power of MAIA, and it's just one example of how Aion Sentia will redefine convenience." Aion Sentia's cognitive framework is designed to manage key sectors such as mobility, energy, education, healthcare, and digital services. The platform's flexibility, powered by MAIA's advanced reasoning and graph-based technology, enables it to adapt to users' needs instantly. For example, a user could ask MAIA to analyse their energy consumption for the month and receive real-time, personalised recommendations to reduce costs, without navigating separate apps or websites. Set to launch in 18 months, Aion Sentia will debut in Abu Dhabi before expanding globally. Marinelli explained that Abu Dhabi's regulatory environment, robust cybersecurity framework, and advanced digital ecosystem made it the ideal base for the initiative. "Here, people are not just open to innovation; they embrace it," he noted, adding that Abu Dhabi's tech-driven infrastructure enables seamless integration of AI into everyday life. Unlike typical smart city applications, Aion Sentia is built to personalise urban living experiences. MAIA acts as an orchestrator, linking users to public services, private enterprises, and even personal devices through a single interface. Whether it's booking a table for dinner, monitoring energy consumption, or even alerting authorities to emergencies based on real-time sensor data, MAIA handles it all conversationally—like speaking with a highly informed personal assistant. While Abu Dhabi will serve as the initial hub, plans for global expansion are already in motion. "Born in Abu Dhabi, exported to the world," Marinelli said, highlighting the vision to deploy Aion Sentia's technology in major cities across Europe, the US, and beyond. The ambition is not just to connect urban infrastructure but to orchestrate it intelligently, providing a seamless, personalised experience for every resident. "This initiative will support job creation for UAE nationals, foster local innovation, and contribute meaningfully to the national AI ecosystem," said Thani Al Thani Al Falasi, CEO of Bold Technologies. "We're excited to work alongside My Aion Inc. to bring this ambitious vision to life." The partnership also includes plans to collaborate with UAE universities to launch training and upskilling programmes, further supporting the development of the national workforce in AI and digital technologies.
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
AI-Run City Set for Launch
The United Arab Emirates is planning to power all public and private services in the city of Abu Dhabi through a single artificial intelligence platform by 2027 with a $2.5 billion investment, according to the Khaleej Times. The project will be delivered by Italy's Synapsia and the UAE's Bold Technologies. Newsweek has contacted the UAE government and Bold Technologies' parent company Bold Holding for comment. An email to the address on Synapsia's website bounced back. The new project underscores Gulf ambitions to take a lead in AI innovation the week after it was also made central to a visit to the region by U.S. President Donald Trump. While AI is increasingly at the heart of the global U.S.-China competition of influence, Gulf countries also see it not only as a way to make themselves more effective through its practical application, but also as a way to break new ground as they look to a future beyond energy exports. Aion Sentia, the project's given name, aims to consolidate public and private services onto a single platform, from automated public transport to the integration of smart homes and AI-powered support for healthcare, according to the Khaleej Times. The UAE has publicly stated its ambitions to lead in AI, and its National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan has actively courted foreign-including U.S.-investment for AI infrastructure projects. Saudi Arabia is also making similar calls and planning to use AI‐managed systems in its flagship Neom city. During his Middle East tour last week, Trump approved a major deal with the UAE to construct the world's largest artificial intelligence campus outside the U.S., removing previous limits that had barred the Gulf state from accessing advanced American chips amid fears they might end up in China. In March 2025, Synapsia and Bold Technologies signed a UAE-backed deal to deploy their Maia engine to coordinate traffic, public lighting, transportation, and security across urban infrastructure for more efficiency and energy consumption reduction, Synapsia said in a statement. Daniele Marinelli, CEO of My Aion Inc., as quoted by the Khaleej Times: "We want to go to the next level. Imagine an AI that knows you so well, it can recommend the perfect place for your anniversary dinner and book it for you without you lifting a finger. That's the power of MAIA, and it's just one example of how Aion Sentia will redefine convenience." Synapsia's website in March 2025: "The agreement includes a significant investment in the development of Cognitive Cities, a new paradigm that goes beyond the concept of smart cities, which introduces fully autonomous urban management based on generative AI and predictive optimization." The UAE said it aims to expand Aion Sentia globally after piloting in Abu Dhabi, but did not give further details of exactly where. Related Articles China Starts Building First Giant Supercomputer Network in SpaceNewsweek's Next Virtual Event Aims to Build Health Care's AI PlaybookTrump Backs Massive Middle East AI Hub to Counter ChinaGrok Saw 'Unauthorized Modification' Before Slew of 'White Genocide' Posts 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Zawya
12-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Italy's Synapsia signs $2.5bln deal with UAE's Bold Technologies
ROME - Italy's Synapsia has signed a $2.5-billion contract with UAE's Bold Technologies to provide AI-powered city management services for Abu Dhabi, Synapsia CEO Daniele Marinelli told Reuters. The Italian company will develop technology to handle urban issues such as transport, parking and emergency response to disasters, Marinelli said in a phone interview late on Monday. He called it a "cognitive city project, an evolution of the smart city concept." Under the deal, signed on March 3, Bold Technologies is set to pay the $2.5 billion in five instalments over 18 months, subjects to milestones. "By integrating Synapsia's AI, cities will transition from inefficient data silos to autonomous, self-learning urban networks that optimise infrastructure, transportation, and energy use in real-time," Synapsia and Bold Technologies said in a joint statement. Marinelli said the two groups would create a new company, called My Aion Inc., with a view to float it on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange with an initial public offering planned sometimes between 2027 and 2029. Under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy is pursuing stronger economic ties with Gulf countries, despite concerns over human rights issues raised by political opponents. At a bilateral summit in February, Meloni said the United Arab Emirates had pledged to invest $40 billion in Italy, without providing any time frame. The UAE, a wealthy oil producer, is in a race to become an AI leader amid rising competition from neighbouring Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Al Arabiya
11-03-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Italy's Synapsia signs $2.5 bln deal with UAE's Bold Technologies
Italy's Synapsia has signed a $2.5-billion contract with UAE's Bold Technologies to provide AI-powered city management services for Abu Dhabi, Synapsia CEO Daniele Marinelli told Reuters. The Italian company will develop technology to handle urban issues such as transport, parking and emergency response to disasters, Marinelli said in a phone interview late on Monday. He called it a 'cognitive city project, an evolution of the smart city concept.' Under the deal, signed on March 3, Bold Technologies is set to pay the $2.5 billion in five instalments over 18 months, subjects to milestones. 'By integrating Synapsia's AI, cities will transition from inefficient data silos to autonomous, self-learning urban networks that optimize infrastructure, transportation, and energy use in real-time,' Synapsia and Bold Technologies said in a joint statement. Marinelli said the two groups would create a new company, called My Aion Inc., with a view to float it on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange with an initial public offering planned sometimes between 2027 and 2029. Under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy is pursuing stronger economic ties with Gulf countries, despite concerns over human rights issues raised by political opponents. At a bilateral summit in February, Meloni said the United Arab Emirates had pledged to invest $40 billion in Italy, without providing any time frame. The UAE, a wealthy oil producer, is in a race to become an AI leader amid rising competition from neighboring Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Reuters
11-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Italy's Synapsia signs $2.5 bln deal with UAE's Bold Technologies
ROME, March 11 (Reuters) - Italy's Synapsia has signed a $2.5-billion contract with UAE's Bold Technologies to provide AI-powered city management services for Abu Dhabi, Synapsia CEO Daniele Marinelli told Reuters. The Italian company will develop technology to handle urban issues such as transport, parking and emergency response to disasters, Marinelli said in a phone interview late on Monday. He called it a "cognitive city project, an evolution of the smart city concept." Under the deal, signed on March 3, Bold Technologies is set to pay the $2.5 billion in five instalments over 18 months, subjects to milestones. "By integrating Synapsia's AI, cities will transition from inefficient data silos to autonomous, self-learning urban networks that optimise infrastructure, transportation, and energy use in real-time," Synapsia and Bold Technologies said in a joint statement. Marinelli said the two groups would create a new company, called My Aion Inc., with a view to float it on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange with an initial public offering planned sometimes between 2027 and 2029. Under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy is pursuing stronger economic ties with Gulf countries, despite concerns over human rights issues raised by political opponents. At a bilateral summit in February, Meloni said the United Arab Emirates had pledged to invest $40 billion in Italy, without providing any time frame. The UAE, a wealthy oil producer, is in a race to become an AI leader amid rising competition from neighbouring Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
