Abu Dhabi is on track to become the first city in the world to host a fully AI-driven urban system. The project, called Aion Sentia, is a joint effort between Bold Technologies, part of Bold Holding, and Italy’s My Aion Inc. It aims to be finished by 2027 and will change how people live, work, and connect with their city.
A Leap Beyond Smart Cities
Unlike traditional smart cities that depend on fixed automation and isolated data, Aion Sentia features a smart, learning city model. The system will adapt constantly by studying how residents behave, what they prefer, and how they go about their daily lives. Central to this plan is MAIA, an exclusive AI platform that offers personalized city services through one mobile app.
Daniele Marinelli, CEO of My Aion Inc., describes the project as “a city that learns and grows with its people.” This will be made possible by AI that predicts needs, manages infrastructure automatically, and keeps energy use to a minimum in real time.
MAIA: The AI Assistant for Urban Living
MAIA will serve as the main link between residents and city services. It will act as a smart assistant that combines public services, smart home features, AI-based health tools, and traffic management into one system.
Unlike common AI tools, MAIA is built on a detailed personal profile model. This allows it to make complex choices based on user history, context, and relationships. For example, it can suggest a dinner reservation based on your tastes or give energy-saving tips without needing different apps.
$2.5 Billion Investment
The project is supported by a $2.5 billion Build-Operate-Transfer deal. It is one of the biggest AI-driven city projects in the region. It will create jobs, boost local AI progress, and bring advanced services into daily life.
Marinelli says Abu Dhabi is a perfect place to start because it has good rules, strong digital systems, and a willingness to try new ideas.
Global Expansion Plans
While Abu Dhabi will be the starting point, the plan is to share this city model worldwide. Cities in Europe, the U.S., and other areas could adopt the same system soon.
This isn’t just a smart city — it’s a thinking city. Born in Abu Dhabi, it’s made to be shared with the world. Marinelli states this clearly.
Workforce Development and Education
The project also plans to collaborate with UAE universities on AI training programs. These programs will help local professionals become skilled in AI, supporting the country’s long-term tech plans.
Thani Al Thani Al Falasi, CEO of Bold Technologies, added that this project sets a new standard for AI cities and opens doors for Emiratis. It will also speed up growth in several key sectors.
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