Recent reports reveal that Gulf governments are accelerating the rollout of AI‑driven smart city infrastructure, integrating facial recognition, traffic monitoring, and predictive policing tools across major urban centers. While officials tout efficiency gains and crime reduction, critics warn that the technology can be wielded to suppress dissent and reinforce authoritarian control.

Independent investigations show that data collected by these systems is often stored on servers controlled by foreign tech firms, raising concerns about data sovereignty and potential exploitation by external actors. The lack of transparent oversight mechanisms means citizens have little recourse to challenge surveillance practices or demand accountability.

Human rights advocates call for urgent legal safeguards, including independent audits, public data access, and clear limits on the use of biometric data. Without such measures, the promise of “smart” governance risks becoming a tool for systemic surveillance and erosion of civil liberties.

Source: Arab Center Washington DC