Riyadh: The fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (GFEAI 2026), hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, has brought international attention to the environmental impacts of AI systems and their implications for ecosystems and climate goals.

According to Saudi Press Agency, a keynote session titled 'AI, Environment, Ecosystems and Energy: From Readiness to Action for All, and the Tools that Will Get You There' examined the energy, water, and critical resource demands of AI systems, as well as their potential to support sustainability and the risks they may pose to ecosystems and climate goals.

GFEAI 2026 is taking place from September 14 to 17 under the theme 'Transforming Global Cooperation for Ethical AI Governance.' The forum invited participants from 194 countries, with more than 100 speakers taking part in 30 sessions and workshops.

Saudi Arabia is participating in the forum with AI technology and sustainability solutions, supporting more efficient resource use and environmental protection in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The program features contributions from several national entities in sessions addressing readiness, governance, research, safety, government applications, rights, and the environment.

AI ethics also extends to AI's environmental impacts, including its consumption of energy, water, and critical resources, and its effects on ecosystems and climate goals. This calls for a shift from assessing readiness to taking practical action based on policies and tools.