The UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence will take place in Riyadh from September 14 to 17, 2026. The fourth edition of the international event brings together representatives, official delegations, and technical experts from 194 countries to examine modern technology governance.
Organizers confirmed that the four-day event is organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) in partnership with UNESCO. Furthermore, the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) collaborates directly on organizing the event, according to reporting by madhyamamonline.com.
Scope of the UNESCO Global Forum
Saudi Arabia is the first Arab country to host this major international meeting. Decision-makers, academic experts, and representatives from diverse international organizations will attend specialized workshops and strategic roundtables. Moreover, public and private sector leaders plan to examine the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence across various industrial and commercial sectors.
The event builds directly on the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence adopted by UNESCO member states in 2021. Consequently, participating delegates will review actionable ways to limit the unfair impacts of automated systems on human societies while advancing safer, more transparent technological practices worldwide.
Core Agendas and Discussion Tracks
Discussions during the sessions will focus on institutional capacity building, responsible innovation, and the harmonization of international policies. Specifically, agenda tracks cover institutional readiness assessments inside government bodies, digital welfare standards, and mental health considerations within the broader health technology sector.
Sessions will also explore cultural diversity protections, individual privacy rights, neural data safeguards, and climate impacts related to computing energy demands. In addition, specialized panels will address the fundamental role of academic institutions in advancing education and training initiatives for future governance frameworks.
Strategic Alignment and Global Cooperation
Hosting the UNESCO Global Forum aligns directly with the digital transformation and technological development targets of Saudi Vision 2030. The Kingdom continues to actively build multilateral frameworks for responsible technologies while expanding international cooperation across global forums.
Meanwhile, the forum provides an essential exchange mechanism for technical policies, regulatory oversight, and institutional accountability. These collaborative measures support the broader digital economy by establishing predictable ethical standards and operational guidelines for emerging software tools.
Registration and Participation Details
Interested participants, researchers, and technical specialists can register directly through the official event portal managed by ICAIRE. The site offers comprehensive access to speaker schedules, working session details, and formal panel agendas ahead of the conference in Riyadh.
