Journal Homepage: www. ijarpr.com ISSN: 3049-0103 (Online)
International Journal of Advance Research Publication and
Reviews
Vol 02, Issue 10, pp 372-394, October 2025
Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins in
Enhancing Urban Sustainability in Saudi Cities: NEOM City as
Case Study
Hassan Ahmed Hassan Youssef
1
, Neama Hassan El-Sayed Omar
2
1
Architecture Engineering Department, Alasala Colleges, Dammam 32324, Saudi Arabia. Department of Architecture
Engineering - Al-Safwa high institute of Engineering, Cairo, Egypt.
[email protected] -
[email protected]
2 Interior Design Department, College of Architecture and design- Alasala Colleges, Dammam 31483, Saudi Arabia
Architecture Engineering Department, Bilbeis Higher Institute for engineering, Egypt.
[email protected]
[email protected]
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the transformative potential of digital twin technology in enhancing urban sustainability within Saudi cities, with
specialized focus on NEOM as a pioneering case study. The research employs an integrated methodology combining qualitative analysis
of strategic frameworks with quantitative assessment of performance indicators to examine how AI-driven digital replicas optimize
urban systems.
The conceptual foundation of digital twins involves creating comprehensive virtual replicas of physical systems to predict and optimize
performance, as established in foundational literature (Grieves & Vickers, 2017). The mixed-methods approach adopted in this research
aligns with contemporary methodological frameworks for analyzing smart city technologies (Bibri, 2021).
Findings demonstrate significant progress across multiple sectors, with AI adoption reaching 85% in renewable energy, 92% in smart
mobility systems, and 78% in healthcare services. This technological advancement is supported by a network of 2.3 million IoT sensors
processing 8.7 exabytes of data daily, as documented in recent project reports (NEOM Company, 2023).
The research reveals digital twins' crucial role in achieving Vision 2030 objectives through measurable improvements: 65% enhancement
in healthcare accessibility, 50% reduction in commute durations, and 40% cost savings in energy management, supporting national
development goals (Saudi Vision 2030, 2016). While cybersecurity challenges and system integration complexities present ongoing
considerations (Jobin et al., 2019), NEOM's implementation demonstrates how predictive analytics, machine learning, and real-time
monitoring converge to create sustainable urban ecosystems (Batty, 2018).
The study concludes that digital twins represent a fundamental shift in urban governance paradigms, offering scalable solutions for
resource optimization, environmental stewardship, and quality-of-life enhancement while establishing new global benchmarks for smart
city development (Ketzler et al., 2020).
Keywords: Digital Twin, Urban Sustainability, Smart Cities, NEOM, Saudi Arabia, Artificial Intelligence
1. INTRODUCTION
The contemporary urban landscape is undergoing significant digital transformation, with digital twin technology emerging
as a crucial innovation for addressing sustainability challenges (Ketzler et al., 2020). Within Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030
framework, which emphasizes economic diversification and sustainable development (Saudi Vision 2030, 2016), NEOM
represents a groundbreaking smart city initiative that provides an ideal model for examining advanced technological
applications (Alshuwaikhat & Mohammed, 2022).