Paris: The International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) emphasized the importance of building capacity across communities and promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, translating global priorities into practical initiatives that benefit countries and societies worldwide.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the remarks were made during ICAIRE's participation in the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development Global Conference (IDSSD 2026), held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris. The conference brought together ministers, scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world. ICAIRE, headquartered in Riyadh, was represented by Dr. Majed Al-Shehri.
Dr. Al-Shehri explained that ICAIRE, a UNESCO Category 2 Center based in Riyadh, plays a pivotal role in supporting the organization's efforts to transform its global AI priorities into actionable programs and initiatives by advancing capacity building and international cooperation, ensuring the responsible and inclusive use of AI technologies. He underscored the importance of achieving equitable geographical access to AI technologies and enabling developing countries to benefit from knowledge transfer, expertise, and capacity-building opportunities.
He reaffirmed the center's commitment to fostering inclusive participation, supporting researchers and policymakers, and empowering women and young people to strengthen countries' readiness to harness advanced technologies. He also highlighted ICAIRE's continued support for countries through capacity-building programs, contributions to AI policy and governance development, assistance in implementing UNESCO's AI Readiness Assessment Methodology, and the provision of practical tools and international expertise to help countries move from strategy development to implementation and measurable impact.
In his address, Dr. Al-Shehri also highlighted several international initiatives led by ICAIRE, including the Elevate Program, a global initiative to empower women in AI developed in partnership with Microsoft and supported by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), as well as the International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad. He also outlined the center's efforts to support the implementation of UNESCO's AI Readiness Assessment Methodology.
