Riyadh forum to bring together ministers, policymakers, technology leaders and international experts to advance responsible AI governance and innovation
RIYADH: UNESCO and its international partners are intensifying global efforts to promote the ethical and responsible development and use of artificial intelligence, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia set to host the 4th UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (GFEAI 2026) from September 14 to 17.
The four-day forum will bring together ministers responsible for technology and artificial intelligence from UNESCO Member States, policymakers, leaders of major global technology companies and representatives of international organizations to discuss the future of AI governance and ethics.
The forum is being organized in partnership with the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) and the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) under the auspices of UNESCO, in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
UNESCO’s selection of Saudi Arabia as the host reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in international discussions on artificial intelligence, digital transformation and responsible technology governance.
The forum comes at a pivotal stage in the global development of AI, as ethical considerations have moved beyond questions of regulation to become a fundamental component of efforts to ensure that advanced technologies serve humanity while protecting human dignity, fundamental rights and shared human values.
Artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities to expand access to knowledge and expertise, improve productivity, strengthen public services and accelerate economic and social development. At the same time, its rapid development has raised concerns over algorithmic bias, discrimination, inequality, privacy and other risks that could disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
These challenges are addressed in UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by UNESCO Member States in 2021. The recommendation calls for the development and deployment of AI in ways that safeguard human rights, dignity and fundamental freedoms while ensuring that technological progress contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.
The international community is looking to the Riyadh forum for practical outcomes that can contribute to shaping international policies and frameworks for the equitable and responsible use of AI.
Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening AI governance, bridging the digital divide between countries, building national capacities, promoting responsible innovation and supporting the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Over four days, the forum will address key themes including AI ethics and governance, capacity building, responsible innovation and international policy cooperation.
It will also showcase international initiatives, emerging practices and practical approaches to AI governance through high-level sessions and specialized workshops involving policymakers, researchers, technology leaders and leading experts from around the world.
The forum is expected to provide a platform for greater international cooperation at a time when countries are seeking to establish effective governance mechanisms capable of maximizing the benefits of AI while addressing its social, economic and ethical risks.
The event will further reinforce the importance of international collaboration in ensuring that the development of artificial intelligence remains human-centred, inclusive and aligned with the broader interests of societies worldwide.
Registration for the 4th UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is open through the official forum registration portal.
