Saudi civil authorities have granted the first operational license for the use of drones in cleaning building facades in the kingdom.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed the issuance of the license to a specialized company, marking a significant step towards introducing this advanced service in Saudi Arabia. The move aims to provide flexibility for investors to implement innovative operational methods.

“This decision represents a new step towards enabling the application of cutting-edge technologies in various fields, in line with the national aviation strategy,” stated GACA.

The drone licensing initiative is part of broader efforts by GACA to support the use of drones in various sectors, including rescue operations and agricultural spraying. GACA has updated executive regulations related to aviation safety as part of a national aviation safety program, ensuring that operators and beneficiaries are informed of all developments and requirements to ensure compliance.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s national aviation objectives, GACA adopts advanced systems, utilizes AI-enhanced technologies, and implements innovative digital solutions in its operations to stay abreast of the latest developments in the aviation industry.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has shown a strong interest in leveraging artificial intelligence across various domains. In March, authorities introduced an AI-enhanced device named “Turjman” to translate statements made by defendants swiftly as part of efforts to expedite judicial processes. Developed by a Saudi computing and AI company, Turjman incorporates thermal cameras for defendant recognition, accesses basic data from government agencies, and can translate statements into up to 142 languages and dialects.