The Saudi International Exhibition and Conference for the Internet of Things (IoT), officially sponsored by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, was held from 28–30 January 2024 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As the inaugural event of its kind, it took place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC) and attracted a large and diverse audience, including representatives from government, public and private sectors, healthcare, industry, commerce, and academia. The conference featured a distinguished panel of national and international experts, including visionary leaders, scientists, engineers, and executives, who delivered keynote addresses on emerging IoT technologies and their transformative impact on business, industry, and everyday life.

The Internet of Things is expected to experience substantial growth across multiple sectors, including healthcare, hospitality, education, telecommunications, transportation, real estate, public services, smart cities, and energy. Saudi Arabia has undergone rapid development in recent years, supported by significant investment in smart technologies. The Kingdom’s IoT and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications market is projected to grow from USD 4.88 billion in 2014 to approximately USD 35 billion by 2030.

Representing SSGARI at the conference, Prof. Dr. Ali M. Masmali delivered a keynote address titled “Establishing Trust in the Internet of Things: Challenges and Solutions.” His presentation emphasized the role of embedded intelligence combined with internet connectivity in transforming the IoT landscape. It is estimated that the number of connected devices could reach nearly 100 billion, with a potential global economic impact of up to USD 11 trillion by 2030. IoT continues to function as an enabling technology, creating new opportunities, markets, and innovations for individuals, businesses, and nations.

The keynote further highlighted that while consumers are increasingly attracted to the benefits and services offered by IoT applications, concerns related to data security and privacy remain significant. The collection and exchange of personal information by smart devices require robust safeguards to maintain user confidence. In the absence of adequate protection, the misuse of personal data could undermine trust and hinder the widespread adoption of IoT technologies. Establishing and sustaining consumer trust is therefore essential to the continued growth of the IoT ecosystem.

In addition, a conceptual framework was presented to identify key factors influencing consumer trust, with particular emphasis on security requirements in the design and development of IoT systems. The address also outlined emerging challenges in IoT products and services and proposed recommendations aimed at strengthening trust and encouraging broader adoption.

The exhibition featured participation from leading national and international organizations across the public and private sectors, which showcased their latest innovations and IoT solutions. A series of thematic workshops was also organized alongside the exhibition to enhance awareness and understanding of IoT technologies and their applications. The event was further honored by the presence of the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H.E. Abdullah Alswaha.