Bold Technologies and My Aion Launch $2.5 Billion Smart City Initiative

Bold Technologies, a subsidiary of Bold Holdings based in Abu Dhabi, has joined forces with My Aion, an international artificial intelligence company, to introduce a $2.5 billion smart-city initiative. This ambitious project aims to revolutionize urban infrastructure through the application of AI technologies. The collaboration has resulted in the development of a platform named Aion Sentia Cognitive City, designed to manage and optimize complex urban systems.

The platform will be driven by Maia, an AI core engine developed by My Aion, with the goal of enhancing and managing various urban systems, including mobility, energy, education, healthcare, and digital services. My Aion's CEO, Daniele Marinelli, highlighted the platform's capabilities, stating that the AI will be sophisticated enough to recommend and book services, such as the perfect place for an anniversary dinner, without any user intervention.

The project is set to launch in Abu Dhabi before expanding its reach internationally. The initiative is expected to go live within the next 18 months. The project is structured under a $2.5 billion Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, a public-private partnership framework commonly used for large-scale infrastructure and technology projects. Under this model, private sector entities will construct and manage the infrastructure for a specified period, recouping their investments and earning profits during the operational phase.

At the conclusion of the agreed period, ownership and control of the systems developed through the BOT model will be transferred to the government or a public sector entity. Bold Technologies' CEO, Thani Al Thani Al Falasi, emphasized the initiative's potential to support job creation for UAE nationals, foster local innovation, and contribute significantly to the national AI ecosystem. Marinelli also noted that relocating to Abu Dhabi provides My Aion with the necessary infrastructure and institutional support to scale responsibly and strategically.