The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture opened the Saudi Exhibition for Drones and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture ("SADF") in Riyadh, with international participation from specialists and experts in modern technology. Held over three days at That Arena Exhibition and Conference Center under the theme "Integration Between Drones and Artificial Intelligence," the exhibition aims to boost innovation in the agricultural and other sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

During the exhibition, the ministry showcased its latest technologies in using drones and artificial intelligence to support food security and protect the environment. Dr. Abdulhamid Al-Ulayyan, Supervisor-General of the Ministry's Information Technology Agency, affirmed that these efforts form part of the ministry's digital transformation strategy, noting its cooperation with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) to establish an AI center that launched the "Hayat" product, which helps monitor vegetation cover and combat climate change.

Dr. Al-Ulayyan also pointed to the ministry's use of artificial intelligence in surveying agricultural land and digitizing records, as well as implementing early-warning solutions for epidemics and diseases. Future applications of drones at the ministry include smart irrigation, dam monitoring, and environmental protection through biodiversity monitoring and seed dispersal in rugged terrain.

The drone sector in Saudi Arabia is expected to contribute around $16 billion to GDP by 2028, with growing applications in agriculture, oil, and reserve monitoring, further strengthening the Kingdom's position as a regional hub for emerging technology.