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The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority reported that the event co-hosted with UNESCO and the International Centre for AI Research and Ethics will convene policymakers experts academics and representatives from international organisations as well as the public and private sectors. According to UNESCO the four-day programme in the Saudi capital will centre on advancing dialogue about AI ethics and governance while facilitating the exchange of best practices to support sustainable development goals. The Saudi Press Agency indicated that registration has opened for the forum which builds on Saudi Arabia’s early adoption of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence back in 2021 one of the first countries to do so.
UNESCO documentation places the gathering as a leading global platform that will include high-level sessions alongside specialised workshops designed to explore capacity building responsible innovation and international policy coordination in the field of artificial intelligence. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority highlighted that the forum aligns with the Kingdom’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence during which authorities aim to promote global awareness around ethical AI use and associated risks such as deepfakes. Previous editions of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence have taken place in locations including Slovenia and Thailand with the 2025 event held in the latter according to records from the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.
A UNESCO overview of the 2026 edition notes that the programme will showcase diverse international initiatives while encouraging collaborative approaches to ethical governance that can guide both public and private sector applications of the technology. The International Centre for AI Research and Ethics which maintains its headquarters in Riyadh will play a central role in the hosting arrangements reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in AI research infrastructure the Saudi Press Agency reported. Participants will have opportunities to engage in targeted discussions that address emerging challenges in AI deployment across various domains including those tied to sustainable development objectives outlined in global frameworks.
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority stated that hosting the forum underscores increasing international confidence in the Kingdom’s capabilities in artificial intelligence governance and innovation. Saudi Press Agency coverage of related announcements emphasised that the event will contribute to broader efforts in standardising ethical practices amid rapid technological advancement worldwide. Organisers have issued a call for research submissions ahead of the September gathering with a prior deadline of July 18 2026 as detailed in Saudi Press Agency updates which also noted the forum’s focus on bridging policy research and practical implementation.
UNESCO has maintained that forums of this nature help member states translate shared principles into actionable strategies particularly as artificial intelligence intersects with areas such as education healthcare and economic development. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has positioned the 2026 edition as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships that promote responsible innovation while mitigating potential risks associated with unchecked AI deployment. Additional sessions are expected to examine how ethical frameworks can support equitable access to AI benefits across developed and developing nations alike according to details published on the UNESCO platform.
