Mastercard “Cities Of the Future Report” Reveals People In Middle East Largely Believe Living In A Smart City Will Make Them Happier

Mastercard published four separate press releases covering responses from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and from the United Arab of Emirates.

The Saudi Arabia report found that 75% of participating residents believe “living in a smart city would make them happier.”

Other key findings include:

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The majority (60%) of respondents in Saudi Arabia identified smart and connected buildings and homes as the highest priority innovation, along with smart travel services (60%) for a two-way tie. Technological advancements widely generate more optimism than worry. AI and machine learning (54%) are considered the most important technologies for future cities. In terms of concerns, residents cited the loss of traditional jobs, followed by the loss of traditional cultural connections.

Residents in Saudi Arabia appreciate digitization making their living environments, workplaces, and payment experiences, more efficient. Topping the list of aspects that would enhance daily living experience in a city, are digital access to services (55%) like utilities, licensing, banking and transportation, and a single digital platform (super-app) that integrates all services and information (55%). For example, visitors to King Abdullah Financial District can use a super-app, currently under development, to personalize the experience, including booking a car park in advance, navigating onsite, and accessing the KAFD loyalty program.

Adam Jones, Country General Manager, MENA Central, Mastercard, said: “Through ongoing infrastructure development, investment and collaboration, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is working towards Vision 2030 and having three Saudi cities recognized among the top-ranked 100 cities in the world.”

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The Egyptian report found a similar statistic with smart city living appeal, with 82% believing that living in a smart city will make them happier, the highest number of the three countries surveyed.

‘Topping the list of aspects that would enhance their daily living experience in a city, are digital access to services (63%) like utilities, licensing, banking and transportation, followed by strong privacy and secure personal data (62%),’ Mastercard reports.

As for the UAE, the report found that 68% say living in a smart city would make them happier. ‘85% of UAE respondents believe their cities are maturing or mature enough as future-ready urban spaces,’ the report finds.

In short, ‘Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE overwhelmingly agree that living in a smart city would make them happier (76%),’ Mastercard says.

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AUTHOR COMMENTARY

While the West on the decline and near ruination, the East has been flourishing and only getting stronger – that is, if you are only looking at this on the surface.

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

Proverbs 18:11

There is no question that the East has been growing exponentially in power for some time now, though Western media refuses to highlight it, as it would should just how decrepit the West has become; but because of Eastern dominance the people have, unsurprisingly, become quite haughty and prideful; believing that all this high-tech garbage is wonderful. They have no idea what awaits them in the future…

But, in the short run for now, this report shows how so many people around the world are eagerly awaiting to be taken care of, not having to work and labor anymore, have AI run anything and be their new god to worship, and lose their financial freedom. Again, the WEF has said: “You’ll own nothing and be happy.”

Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

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[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

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