Riyadh: The second day of the fourth edition of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence 2026 concluded Wednesday in Riyadh, with broad international participation from officials, experts, researchers, and policymakers. The forum featured discussions on countries' artificial intelligence (AI) readiness, institutional capacity building, enabling AI use in the public sector, AI's impact on the labor market and skills, AI safety and ethics, and international cooperation in AI oversight.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the forum sessions covered developing the institutional capacity needed to adopt AI applications in public administrations, Saudi Arabia's experience expanding the use of AI technologies in the public sector, the impact of AI on jobs and skills, and how education and training systems can respond to emerging skills needs.
As part of efforts to support specialized talent, the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) honored 52 experts and specialists who earned professional badges, in recognition of their competencies and scientific and professional contributions.
The day also saw the launch of the third edition of the Elevate program, which aims to empower 25,000 women worldwide in AI ethics.
The International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) announced the launch of a program to qualify 10,000 AI leaders, in cooperation with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with Apolitical, and in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The two-year program aims to develop the leadership capabilities of senior public-sector leaders and decision-makers in ICESCO member states.
The forum is organized by SDAIA in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in cooperation with ICAIRE, and in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. It is being held in Riyadh from September 14 to 17, marking the first time this international platform has been hosted in the Arab world.
